title: Premature termination of transcription by RNAP II: the beginning of the end.
abstract: Transcription elongation is now recognized as an important mechanism of gene regulation in eukaryotes. A large number of genes undergo an early step in transcription that is rate limiting for expression. Genome-wide studies showing that RNA polymerase II accumulates to high densities near the promoters of many genes has led to the idea that promoter-proximal pausing of transcription is a widespread, rate-limiting step in early elongation. Recent evidence suggests that much of this paused RNA polymerase II is competent for transcription elongation. Here, we discuss recent studies suggesting that RNA polymerase II that accumulates nearby the promoter of a subset of genes is undergoing premature termination of transcription.
authors.affiliation: Institut de Génétique Humaine; CNRS UPR1142, Laboratoire de Régulation des Gènes, Montpellier, France.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Contreras
authors.forename: Monsef
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benkirane
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kiernan
mesh_terms: D004722:Endoribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D005095:Exoribonucleases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D000099253:Trans-Activation Responsive RNA-Binding Protein
chemical_list: D004722:Endoribonucleases; D005095:Exoribonucleases; D012319:RNA Polymerase II; D016601:RNA-Binding Proteins; D000099253:Trans-Activation Responsive RNA-Binding Protein; C030052:mRNA decapping enzymes; C120903:XRN2 protein, human
keywords: RNAP II pausing; Xrn2; microprocessor; premature termination; transcription