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The RNA polymerase II core promoter
Stephen T Smale1, James T Kadonaga
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute and Department of Microbiology, Immunology, and Molecular Genetics, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095-1662, USA. smale@mednet.ucla.edu
Annual Review of Biochemistry
|March 26, 2003
Summary
Eukaryotic gene transcription relies on RNA polymerase II positioning at initiation sites. The core promoter, once thought invariant, shows remarkable structural and functional diversity, regulating transcription initiation.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Gene Regulation
Background:
- Transcription initiation in eukaryotes involves precise RNA polymerase II positioning.
- The core promoter region, near the transcription start site, is critical for regulating this process.
- Specific DNA elements within the core promoter recruit transcription factors to form the preinitiation complex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the structural and functional diversity of the RNA polymerase II core promoter.
- To highlight the evolving understanding of core promoter elements and their regulatory roles.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on eukaryotic transcription initiation.
- Analysis of structural and functional data on core promoter elements.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on promoter diversity.
Main Results:
- Core promoter structures are not invariant but exhibit significant diversity.
- Diverse core promoter elements bind specific factors that control preinitiation complex assembly.
- These elements integrate regulatory signals from distal genetic sites.
Conclusions:
- The RNA polymerase II core promoter is structurally and functionally diverse.
- This diversity is key to regulating eukaryotic gene transcription initiation.
- Understanding promoter diversity is crucial for deciphering gene regulation.