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Artificial RNA Polymerase II Elongation Complexes for Dissecting Co-transcriptional RNA Processing Events
Published on: May 13, 2019
Structure-function studies of the RNA polymerase II elongation complex.
Florian Brueckner1, Karim Jean Armache, Alan Cheung
1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Gene Center Munich and Center for Integrated Protein Science CIPSM, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany.
Acta Crystallographica. Section D, Biological Crystallography
|January 28, 2009
Summary
RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcribes protein-coding genes. Structural studies reveal how Pol II elongates RNA, detailing nucleotide addition, translocation, and regulation by factors like TFIIS.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
- Structural Biology
Background:
- RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is crucial for eukaryotic transcription of protein-coding genes.
- The transcription cycle involves initiation, elongation, and termination.
- Pol II synthesizes messenger RNA (mRNA) by moving along a DNA template.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the mechanism of Pol II elongation using X-ray structural analysis.
- To understand the functional states of the Pol II elongation complex (EC).
- To investigate regulatory features of the EC.
Main Methods:
- X-ray structural analysis of Pol II elongation complexes (EC).
- Crystallographic studies capturing different functional states.
- In vitro transcription experiments.
Main Results:
- Structural snapshots revealed mechanistic details of nucleotide addition and Pol II translocation during elongation.
- Elucidation of EC inhibition by alpha-amanitin.
- Understanding the role of TFIIS in modulating the Pol II active site.
- Insights into DNA lesion recognition and RNA templating.
Conclusions:
- X-ray crystallography is a powerful tool for understanding Pol II elongation mechanisms.
- The Pol II elongation complex exhibits complex regulation and adaptability.
- Structural insights advance our knowledge of gene transcription and its control.
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