RNA polymerase II carboxy-terminal domain with multiple connections

The largest subunit of eukaryotic RNA polymerase II contains a unique domain at its carboxy-terminus, which is referred to as the carboxy-terminal domain (CTD). The CTD is made up of an evolutionarily conserved heptapeptide repeat (YSPTSPS). Over the past decade, there has been increasing attention on the role of the CTD in transcription regulation in the view of mRNA processing and chromatin remodeling. This paper provides a brief overview of the recent progress in the dynamic changes in CTD phosphorylation and its role in integrating multiple nuclear events.