title: RNA polymerase II CTD modifications: how many tales from a single tail.
abstract: Eukaryote's RNA polymerases II (RNAPII) have the feature to contain, at the carbossi-terminal region of their largest subunit Rpb1, a unique CTD domain. Rpb1-CTD is composed of an increasing number of repetitions of the Y1 S2 P3 T4 S5 P6 S7 heptad that goes in parallel with the developmental level of organisms. Because of its composition, the CTD domain has a huge structural plasticity; virtually all the residues can be subjected to post-translational modifications and the two prolines can either be in cis or trans conformations. In light of these features, it is reasonable to think that different specific nuances of CTD modification and interacting factors take place not only on different gene promoters but also during different stages of the transcription cycle and reasonably might have a role even if the polymerase is on or off the DNA template. Rpb1-CTD domain is involved not only in regulating transcriptional rates, but also in all co-transcriptional processes, such as pre-mRNA processing, splicing, cleavage, and export. Moreover, recent studies highlight a role of CTD in DNA replication and in maintenance of genomic stability and specific CTD-modifications have been related to different CTD functions. In this paper, we examine results from the most recent CTD-related literature and give an overview of the general function of Rpb1-CTD in transcription, transcription-related and non transcription-related processes in which it has been recently shown to be involved in.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Naples 'Federico II', Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Giuliana
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Napolitano
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lania
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Majello
mesh_terms: D004261:DNA Replication; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic / Q000502:physiology*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D012319:RNA Polymerase II