Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 18, 2025

Genome-wide Surveillance of Transcription Errors in Eukaryotic Organisms
Published on: September 13, 2018
RNA Polymerase III-Transcribed RNAs in Health and Disease: Mechanisms, Dysfunction, and Future Directions
Longjie Sun1, Mingyue Chen2, Xin Wang1
1Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou 310024, China.
RNA polymerase III (Pol III) transcribes essential non-coding RNAs involved in cellular functions. Dysfunctional Pol III transcripts are linked to diseases, highlighting their therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- RNA polymerase III (Pol III) synthesizes crucial non-coding RNAs like tRNAs and 5S rRNA.
- These RNAs are vital for transcription, translation, RNA processing, and protein targeting.
- tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) are emerging as key regulators in diverse biological contexts.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive review of Pol III-transcribed RNAs.
- To detail their biogenesis, regulation, and biological functions.
- To explore the link between Pol III transcripts and human diseases, including potential therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of existing research on Pol III transcription.
- Analysis of the roles of various Pol III-transcribed RNAs in cellular processes.
- Examination of evidence connecting Pol III transcript dysfunction to genetic disorders and cancer.
Main Results:
- Pol III transcribes a wide array of non-coding RNAs essential for cellular machinery.
- Dysregulation of these RNAs is implicated in various human pathologies.
- tsRNAs represent a significant class of regulatory molecules with growing importance.
Conclusions:
- Pol III-transcribed RNAs are fundamental to cellular life and disease.
- Understanding their roles offers insights into disease mechanisms.
- Targeting Pol III pathways presents potential avenues for therapeutic development.
More Related Videos
09:26DNA-Tethered RNA Polymerase for Programmable In vitro Transcription and Molecular Computation
Published on: December 29, 2021
11:57Studying Protein Function and the Role of Altered Protein Expression by Antibody Interference and Three-dimensional Reconstructions
Published on: April 21, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...
Transcription Initiation
The promoters and enhancers and their accessory proteins allow tight regulation of...
RNA Stability
Bacterial RNA Polymerase
In most genes, the transcription site is a single base present upstream of the coding sequence. Though RNAP is a catalytically efficient enzyme, it does not recognize...
Translation
Translation Produces the Building Blocks of Life
Proteins are...
Transfer RNA Synthesis
Each of these chemical modifications is carried by a specific enzyme, post-transcription. All of these enzymes have unique base and site-specificity. Methylation, the most common chemical modification, is carried by at least nine different enzymes, with...