Evolution, biogenesis and function of promoter-associated RNAs.
Transcription initiation is a tightly controlled process that involves chromatin modifications and nucleosome remodelling, transcription factor binding, and the assembly and recruitment of the RNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) complex. Recent studies have reported a diversity of long and short RNAs derived from eukaryotic promoters, which may be involved in transcription regulation. Here we review these species with particular attention to the features and biogenesis of transcription initiation RNAs (tiRNAs), a class of 18 nucleotide small RNA conserved from insects to mammals. We also report and discuss the observation that tiRNAs are not present in plants and are not clearly expressed in the nematode C. elegans. We suggest that tiRNAs may be intimately connected RNAPII backtracking, nucleosome marking, and gene regulation.
Taft
Ryan J
RJ
Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Queensland Bioscience Precinct, St. Lucia, QLD 4067, Australia. r.taft@imb.uq.edu.au
Kaplan
Craig D
CD
Simons
Cas
C
Mattick
John S
JS
D000818:Animals; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*; D012313:RNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D035602:Transcriptional Elongation Factors / Q000378:metabolism*
D035602:Transcriptional Elongation Factors; C018648:transcription factor S-II; D012313:RNA; D012319:RNA Polymerase II