RNA polymerase is poised for activation across the genome.
Regulation of gene expression is integral to the development and survival of all organisms. Transcription begins with the assembly of a pre-initiation complex at the gene promoter, followed by initiation of RNA synthesis and the transition to productive elongation. In many cases, recruitment of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) to a promoter is necessary and sufficient for activation of genes. However, there are a few notable exceptions to this paradigm, including heat shock genes and several proto-oncogenes, whose expression is attenuated by regulated stalling of polymerase elongation within the promoter-proximal region. To determine the importance of polymerase stalling for transcription regulation, we carried out a genome-wide search for Drosophila melanogaster genes with Pol II stalled within the promoter-proximal region. Our data show that stalling is widespread, occurring at hundreds of genes that respond to stimuli and developmental signals. This finding indicates a role for regulation of polymerase elongation in the transcriptional responses to dynamic environmental and developmental cues.
Muse
Ginger W
GW
Laboratory of Molecular Carcinogenesis, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709, USA.
Gilchrist
Daniel A
DA
Nechaev
Sergei
S
Shah
Ruchir
R
Parker
Joel S
JS
Grissom
Sherry F
SF
Zeitlinger
Julia
J
Adelman
Karen
K
D000818:Animals; D047369:Chromatin Immunoprecipitation; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D049750:Genome, Insect; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D015533:Transcriptional Activation
D012319:RNA Polymerase II