Global control of RNA polymerase II

Alexander Gillis; Scott Berry

doi:10.1016/j.bbagrm.2024.195024

Global control of RNA polymerase II

Biochim Biophys Acta Gene Regul Mech. 2024 Mar 27;1867(2):195024. doi: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2024.195024. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Alexander Gillis¹, Scott Berry¹

Affiliation

¹ EMBL Australia Node in Single Molecule Science, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; UNSW RNA Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia; Department of Molecular Medicine, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia.

PMID: 38552781
DOI: 10.1016/j.bbagrm.2024.195024

Abstract

RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is the multi-protein complex responsible for transcribing all protein-coding messenger RNA (mRNA). Most research on gene regulation is focused on the mechanisms controlling which genes are transcribed when, or on the mechanics of transcription. How global Pol II activity is determined receives comparatively less attention. Here, we follow the life of a Pol II molecule from 'assembly of the complex' to nuclear import, enzymatic activity, and degradation. We focus on how Pol II spends its time in the nucleus, and on the two-way relationship between Pol II abundance and activity in the context of homeostasis and global transcriptional changes.

Keywords: RNA polymerase II; Transcription; mRNA homeostasis.

Publication types

Review