title: Structural insights into transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II.
abstract: Transcriptional regulation is one of the most important steps in control of cell identity, growth, differentiation, and development. Many signaling pathways controlling these processes ultimately target the core transcription machinery that, for protein coding genes, consists of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) and the general transcription factors (GTFs). New studies on the structure and mechanism of the core assembly and how it interfaces with promoter DNA and coactivator complexes have given tremendous insight into early steps in the initiation process, genome-wide binding, and mechanisms conserved for all nuclear and archaeal Pols. Here, we review recent developments in dissecting the architecture of the Pol II core machinery with a focus on early and regulated steps in transcription initiation.
authors.affiliation: Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave N, PO Box 19024, Mailstop A1-162, Seattle, WA 98109, USA.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Grünberg
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hahn
mesh_terms: D008958:Models, Molecular; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D012319:RNA Polymerase II
keywords: RNA polymerase II; SAGA; TFIID; TFIIH; coactivators; mediator; open complex; preinitiation complex (PIC); transcription; translocase