Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 1, 2026

Artificial RNA Polymerase II Elongation Complexes for Dissecting Co-transcriptional RNA Processing Events
Published on: May 13, 2019
Nucleosome remodeling induced by RNA polymerase II: loss of the H2A/H2B dimer during transcription
Maria L Kireeva1, Wendy Walter, Vladimir Tchernajenko
1NCI Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute-Frederick Cancer Research and Development Center, Frederick, MD 21702, USA.
Abstract:
RNA polymerase II (Pol II) must transcribe genes in a chromatin environment in vivo. We examined transcription by Pol II through nucleosome cores in vitro. At physiological and lower ionic strengths, a mononucleosome imposes a strong block to elongation, which is relieved at increased ionic strength. Passage of Pol II causes a quantitative loss of one H2A/H2B dimer but does not alter the location of the nucleosome. In contrast, bacteriophage SP6 RNA polymerase (RNAP) efficiently transcribes through the same nucleosome under physiological conditions, and the histone octamer is transferred behind SP6 RNAP. Thus, the mechanisms for transcription through the nucleosome by Pol II and SP6 RNAP are clearly different. Moreover, Pol II leaves behind an imprint of disrupted chromatin structure.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Nucleosome Remodeling
Nucleosome remodeling complex
Eukaryotic cells have specialized enzymes called ATP-dependent nucleosome remodeling enzymes. These enzymes...
RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins
RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins
Transcription Elongation Factors
The transcription elongation is regulated via pausing of RNA polymerase on several occasions during transcription. In bacteria, these halts are necessary because the transcription of DNA into mRNA is coupled to the translation of that mRNA into a...
Bacterial Transcription
Transcription can be divided into three main stages, each involving distinct DNA sequences to guide the polymerase. These are:
Transcription Initiation
The promoters and enhancers and their accessory proteins allow tight regulation of...

