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Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Artificial RNA Polymerase II Elongation Complexes for Dissecting Co-transcriptional RNA Processing Events
Published on: May 13, 2019
Contending with transcriptional arrest during RNAPII transcript elongation
1Clare Hall Laboratories, Cancer Research UK London Research Institute, South Mimms, London EN6 3LD, UK. j.svejstrup@cancer.org.uk
Abstract:
Studies of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcript elongation have revealed an extremely complex biochemical process. Obstacles to transcription, such as nucleosomes and DNA damage, must be overcome constantly, requiring the involvement of numerous accessory factors with diverse functions. Together, these factors ensure that transcript elongation is, overall, a highly efficient reaction. The understanding of the basic biochemical principles and factors underlying transcript elongation by RNAPII has greatly improved over the past few years. In particular, studies of RNAPII ubiquitylation and degradation have provided new insight into how cells handle obstacle-induced transcriptional arrest.
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