Integration of nutritional and stress signaling pathways by Maf1

Repression of RNA polymerase III transcription under many conditions requires Maf1, a yeast protein with close sequence homologs in all eukaryotes. Three recent studies have identified key aspects of Maf1 regulation, which suggest that Maf1 integrates the responses from convergent nutritional and stress signaling pathways. These new findings indicate that the opposing actions of protein kinase A and protein phosphatase 2A alter the phosphorylation state of Maf1 and thereby regulate its localization and repressing activity.