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Related Concept Videos

Pre-mRNA Processing: Modification of pre-mRNA Ends01:35

Pre-mRNA Processing: Modification of pre-mRNA Ends

In eukaryotic cells, transcripts made by RNA polymerase are modified and processed before exiting the nucleus. Unprocessed RNA is called precursor mRNA or pre-mRNA to distinguish it from mature mRNA.
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a cap to the 5' end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5' phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached (7-methyl guanosine). This 5' cap helps the cell...
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...
Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing02:41

Chromatin Structure Regulates pre-mRNA Processing

In eukaryotic cells, nascent mRNA transcripts need to undergo many post-transcriptional modifications to reach the cell cytoplasm and translate into functional proteins. For a long time, transcription and pre-mRNA processing were considered two independent events that occur sequentially in the cell. However, it has now been well established that transcription and pre-mRNA processing are two simultaneous processes that are precisely regulated inside the cell.
The chromatin structure, especially...
pre-mRNA Processing02:01

pre-mRNA Processing

In eukaryotic cells, transcripts made by RNA polymerase are modified and processed before exiting the nucleus. Unprocessed RNA is called precursor mRNA or pre-mRNA to distinguish it from mature mRNA.
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a “cap” to the 5’ end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5’ phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached to it (7-Methyl guanosine). This 5’ cap helps the...
Pre-mRNA Processing02:01

Pre-mRNA Processing

In eukaryotic cells, transcripts made by RNA polymerase are modified and processed before exiting the nucleus. Unprocessed RNA is called precursor mRNA or pre-mRNA to distinguish it from mature mRNA.
Once about 20-40 ribonucleotides have been joined together by RNA polymerase, a group of enzymes adds a “cap” to the 5’ end of the growing transcript. In this process, a 5’ phosphate is replaced by modified guanosine that has a methyl group attached to it (7-Methyl guanosine). This 5’ cap helps the...
Transcription Elongation Factors02:35

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...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Analysis of RNA Processing Reactions Using Cell Free Systems: 3' End Cleavage of Pre-mRNA Substrates in vitro
09:16

Analysis of RNA Processing Reactions Using Cell Free Systems: 3' End Cleavage of Pre-mRNA Substrates in vitro

Published on: May 3, 2014

Making ends meet: coordination between RNA 3'-end processing and transcription initiation.

Pia K Andersen1, Torben Heick Jensen, Søren Lykke-Andersen

  • 1Centre for mRNP Biogenesis and Metabolism, Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark.

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews. RNA
|March 2, 2013
PubMed
Summary

RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) resets at gene terminators, preparing for new transcription rounds. This recycling mechanism may enhance gene expression efficiency when RNAPII is limited.

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Analysis of RNA Processing Reactions Using Cell Free Systems: 3' End Cleavage of Pre-mRNA Substrates in vitro
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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Gene Regulation
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) orchestrates gene transcription from initiation at promoters to termination.
  • Transcription termination is intrinsically linked to RNA 3'-end processing, influencing RNAPII's subsequent activity.
  • Evidence suggests RNAPII recycling from terminators to promoters enhances transcription efficiency, especially when RNAPII levels are limiting.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review and compare initiation and 3'-end processing/termination events in RNAPII transcription.
  • To discuss the requirements for efficient 3'-end processing and termination.
  • To explore the relationship between termination processes and RNAPII recycling.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies on RNAPII transcription, termination, and recycling.
  • Comparative analysis of initiation and 3'-end processing/termination across different gene types.
  • Discussion of mechanistic requirements for efficient termination and RNAPII reuse.

Main Results:

  • RNAPII undergoes configuration changes from promoter loading through termination.
  • 3'-end processing and termination are critical for resetting RNAPII for subsequent transcription rounds.
  • Preferential RNAPII recycling from terminators to promoters is supported by evidence and linked to transcription efficiency.

Conclusions:

  • Efficient 3'-end processing and termination are crucial for RNAPII functional resetting.
  • RNAPII recycling from gene terminators back to promoters is a proposed mechanism to boost transcription efficiency.
  • Understanding these processes is key to comprehending gene expression regulation and enzyme reuse.