The basal initiation machinery: beyond the general transcription factors.
In vitro experiments led to a simple model in which basal transcription factors sequentially assembled with RNA Polymerase II to generate a preinitiation complex (PIC). Emerging evidence indicates that PIC composition is not universal, but promoter-dependent. Active promoters are occupied by a mixed population of complexes, including regulatory factors such as NC2, Mot1, Mediator, and TFIIS. Recent studies are expanding our understanding of the roles of these factors, demonstrating that their functions are both broader and more context dependent than previously realized.
Department of Biological Chemistry and Molecular Pharmacology, Harvard Medical School, 240 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115, United States.
Timothy W
TW
Sikorski
Stephen
S
Buratowski
D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D014157:Transcription Factors; D012319:RNA Polymerase II