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Related Concept Videos

Transcription Initiation01:47

Transcription Initiation

Initiation is the first step of transcription in eukaryotes. Prokaryotic RNA Polymerase (RNAP) can bind to the template DNA and start transcribing. On the other hand, transcription in eukaryotes requires additional proteins, called transcription factors, to first bind to the promoter region in the DNA template. This binding helps recruit the specific RNAP that can assemble on the DNA and start transcription.
The promoters and enhancers and their accessory proteins allow tight regulation of...
Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases00:58

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases

RNA Polymerase (RNAP) is conserved in all animals, with bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic RNAPs sharing significant sequence, structural, and functional similarities. Among the three eukaryotic RNAPs, RNA Polymerase II is most similar to bacterial RNAP in terms of both structural organization and folding topologies of the enzyme subunits. However, these similarities are not reflected in their mechanism of action.
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...
Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases00:58

Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases

RNA Polymerase (RNAP) is conserved in all animals, with bacterial, archaeal, and eukaryotic RNAPs sharing significant sequence, structural, and functional similarities. Among the three eukaryotic RNAPs, RNA Polymerase II is most similar to bacterial RNAP in terms of both structural organization and folding topologies of the enzyme subunits. However, these similarities are not reflected in their mechanism of action.
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...
RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins02:36

RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins

Proteins that regulate transcription can do so either via direct contact with RNA Polymerase or through indirect interactions facilitated by adaptors, mediators, histone-modifying proteins, and nucleosome remodelers. Direct interactions to activate transcription is seen in bacteria as well as in some eukaryotic genes. In these cases, upstream activation sequences are adjacent to the promoters, and the activator proteins interact directly with the transcriptional machinery. For example, in...
RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins02:36

RNA Polymerase II Accessory Proteins

Proteins that regulate transcription can do so either via direct contact with RNA Polymerase or through indirect interactions facilitated by adaptors, mediators, histone-modifying proteins, and nucleosome remodelers. Direct interactions to activate transcription is seen in bacteria as well as in some eukaryotic genes. In these cases, upstream activation sequences are adjacent to the promoters, and the activator proteins interact directly with the transcriptional machinery. For example, in...
Bacterial RNA Polymerase00:43

Bacterial RNA Polymerase

Unlike eukaryotes, bacteria use a single RNA Polymerase (RNAP) to transcribe all genes. The different subunits of bacterial RNAPhave distinct functions. The multisubunit structure of the bacterial RNAP helps the enzyme to maintain catalytic function, facilitate assembly, interact with DNA and RNA, and self-regulate its activity.
In most genes, the transcription site is a single base present upstream of the coding sequence. Though RNAP is a catalytically efficient enzyme, it does not recognize...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Artificial RNA Polymerase II Elongation Complexes for Dissecting Co-transcriptional RNA Processing Events
10:59

Artificial RNA Polymerase II Elongation Complexes for Dissecting Co-transcriptional RNA Processing Events

Published on: May 13, 2019

Deciphering the RNA polymerase II structure: a personal perspective.

Patrick Cramer1

  • 1Gene Center Munich, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Feodor-Lynen-Strasse 25, D-81377 Munich, Germany. cramer@lmb.uni-muenchen.de

Nature Structural & Molecular Biology
|December 6, 2006
PubMed
Summary

Roger Kornberg

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Structural Biology

Background:

  • Roger Kornberg was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
  • His laboratory focused on understanding gene transcription.
  • The structure of RNA polymerase II core enzyme was a key research target.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To provide a personal account of the research.
  • To detail the determination of the RNA polymerase II core enzyme structure.
  • To highlight the contributions of the Kornberg laboratory.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography
  • Protein purification
  • Biochemical assays

Main Results:

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High-throughput Purification of Affinity-tagged Recombinant Proteins

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Comparative RNA Structure Analysis of Nascent and Mature Transcripts in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
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Comparative RNA Structure Analysis of Nascent and Mature Transcripts in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

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Last Updated: Jul 18, 2026

Artificial RNA Polymerase II Elongation Complexes for Dissecting Co-transcriptional RNA Processing Events
10:59

Artificial RNA Polymerase II Elongation Complexes for Dissecting Co-transcriptional RNA Processing Events

Published on: May 13, 2019

High-throughput Purification of Affinity-tagged Recombinant Proteins
07:44

High-throughput Purification of Affinity-tagged Recombinant Proteins

Published on: August 26, 2012

Comparative RNA Structure Analysis of Nascent and Mature Transcripts in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
09:12

Comparative RNA Structure Analysis of Nascent and Mature Transcripts in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Published on: February 27, 2026

  • The detailed structure of the RNA polymerase II core enzyme was elucidated.
  • Key insights into the transcription mechanism were gained.

    • Conclusions:

    • The structural determination provided a foundation for understanding gene regulation.
    • This work significantly advanced the field of molecular biology.