RNA polymerase II subunit A C-terminal domain phosphatase SSU72 (SSU72)

SSU72 is an enzyme that specifically dephosphorylates serine-5 and serine-7 residues in the C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II, playing a critical role in regulating the transcription cycle from initiation to termination[1][3]. As a component of the cleavage/polyadenylation factor (CPF) complex, SSU72 is required for proper mRNA processing and transcription termination[1][3]. Its activity is tightly coordinated with other kinases and phosphatases during gene expression, and it is required for assembly and stabilization of the preinitiation complex (PIC)[2][3]. SSU72 is also essential for reinitiating transcription by “resetting” RNA polymerase II through CTD dephosphorylation. It exhibits additional functions outside transcription, including telomere maintenance, chromatid cohesion, and phosphate homeostasis, especially in yeast[3]. No interacting therapeutic drugs are currently known; however, inhibition or dysregulation of SSU72 would likely have profound biological effects due to the enzyme’s central role in transcription and genome stability[1][2][3].

Other names

SSU72HSPC182PNAS-120CTD phosphatase SSU72

Drugs (if available) would inhibit or modulate the phosphatase activity of SSU72, affecting CTD phosphorylation and thus transcription initiation, elongation, or termination[1][2][3].