Chromosomal fusions of the N-terminal region of the Ewings Sarcoma Oncogene
(EWS-Activation-Domain, EAD) to the DNA-binding domains of a variety of ce
llular transcription factors, produce oncogenic proteins (EWS-fusion protei
ns (EFPs)) that cause a variety of malignancies. The EAD can act as a poten
t transcriptional activation domain and is required for the oncogenic activ
ity of EFPs. Previous studies demonstrating a physical interaction between
the EAD and the human RNA Polymerase II subunit hsRPB7 suggest a crucial ro
le for RPB7 and its partner, RPB4, in EAD function. Homologues of hsRPB4/7
exist in S. cerevisiae, and here we describe an RPB4/7-dependent yeast assa
y for EAD-mediated trans-activation. Conditional yeast strains lacking RPB4
are defective for transactivation by a Gal4/EAD fusion protein at the perm
issive temperature. Introduction of hsRPB4 alone is unable to rescue trans-
activation, while a combination of hsRPB4 and hsRPB7 significantly rescues
activity. These findings provide the first functional evidence for a direct
role of the RPB4/7 complex in EAD-mediated trans-activation. In addition,
the yeast assay provides a tractable system for further molecular analysis
of EAD and RPB4/7 action.