SCAF1 driven polyadenylation site usage regulates mRNA isoform expression and neuronal differentiation

Accurate co-transcriptional processing is required for correct gene expression of mRNA transcript isoforms under unperturbed conditions, but particularly during development, to ensure tissue-specific mRNA isoform expression. Here we show that the poorly studied SR-related CTD-associated factors SCAF1 protein regulates polyadenylation site usage towards the end of genes. SCAF1 interacts directly with the phosphorylated C-terminal domain (CTD) of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), in a complex enriched with elongation and 3 end processing factors. While SCAF1 knockout in HEK293 cells is innocuous, it leads to a shift towards expression of shorter mRNA transcripts by co-transcriptional usage of early polyadenylation sites. SCAF1 deficiency induced via auxin-dependent degradation in neuron differentiating mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) results in neuronal commitment defects, mediated by altered mRNA isoform usage that impacts expression of key neuronal genes. These findings highlight the importance of mRNA isoform usage and underscores the key role for SCAF proteins in its regulation though polyadenylation site selection.