Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 2, 2026

10:59
Artificial RNA Polymerase II Elongation Complexes for Dissecting Co-transcriptional RNA Processing Events
Published on: May 13, 2019
RNA polymerase elongation factors.
Jeffrey W Roberts1, Smita Shankar, Joshua J Filter
1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA. jwr7@cornell.edu
Annual Review of Microbiology
|August 30, 2008
Summary
RNA polymerase elongation is tightly controlled by factors that regulate transcription speed. This ensures proper gene expression and cellular function.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Transcription by RNA polymerase is a fundamental process in gene expression.
- The elongation phase is critical and subject to complex regulation.
- This regulation impacts transcript availability and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms governing the RNA polymerase elongation phase.
- To understand the role of general and operon-specific elongation factors.
- To highlight how transcription rate modulation contributes to gene regulation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of RNA polymerase activity and processivity.
- Identification and characterization of elongation factors.
- Investigating the coordination between transcription and transcript utilization.
Main Results:
- Elongation factors significantly modulate transcription rate and extent.
- These factors ensure timely production of transcripts for their specific roles.
- Operon-specific factors provide precise gene control.
Conclusions:
- RNA polymerase elongation is a highly regulated process.
- Elongation factors are key determinants of transcription dynamics.
- This regulation is essential for coordinating gene expression and cellular functions.
Related Concept Videos
Transcription Elongation Factors
Transcription elongation is a dynamic process that alters depending upon the sequence heterogeneity of the DNA being transcribed. Hence, it is not surprising that the elongation complex's composition also varies along the way while transcribing a gene.
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...
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...
Transcription Elongation Factors
Transcription elongation is a dynamic process that alters depending upon the sequence heterogeneity of the DNA being transcribed. Hence, it is not surprising that the elongation complex's composition also varies along the way while transcribing a gene.
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...
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...
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...
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...
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...
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...
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...
The promoters and enhancers and their accessory proteins allow tight regulation of...
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...

