title: RNA polymerase II pausing during development.
abstract: The rapid expansion of genomics methods has enabled developmental biologists to address fundamental questions of developmental gene regulation on a genome-wide scale. These efforts have demonstrated that transcription of developmental control genes by RNA polymerase II (Pol II) is commonly regulated at the transition to productive elongation, resulting in the promoter-proximal accumulation of transcriptionally engaged but paused Pol II prior to gene induction. Here we review the mechanisms and possible functions of Pol II pausing and their implications for development.
authors.affiliation: Stowers Institute for Medical Research, Kansas City, 64110 MO, USA.
authors.forename: Bjoern
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Gaertner
authors.forename: Julia
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zeitlinger
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004330:Drosophila / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D017344:Genes, Insect; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism*; D061805:Transcription Elongation, Genetic
chemical_list: D012319:RNA Polymerase II
keywords: Developmental control genes; Pol II pausing; Transcription elongation