title: The elongation-termination decision in transcription.
abstract: At any template position, the decision to extend the transcript by one residue or to release the nascent RNA represents a kinetic competition between elongation and termination pathways. This competition is discussed in terms of alternative Eyring transition state barriers; changes in termination efficiency correspond to small changes in the relative heights of these barriers. Elongation complexes are stable at nonterminator positions; a model is presented to explain the destabilization of these complexes at intrinsic termination sites. Functionally analogous effects can operate at rho-dependent terminators. Mechanisms for modulation of termination efficiency by regulatory proteins are described.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Molecular Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene.
authors.forename: P H
authors.initials: PH
authors.lastname: von Hippel
authors.forename: T D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Yager
mesh_terms: D000201:Activation Analysis; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D008954:Models, Biological; D008961:Models, Structural; D013698:Templates, Genetic; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000502:physiology*