title: Reciprocal regulatory links between cotranscriptional splicing and chromatin.
abstract: Here we review recent findings showing that chromatin organization adds another layer of complexity to the already intricate network of splicing regulatory mechanisms. Chromatin structure can impact splicing by either affecting the elongation rate of RNA polymerase II or by signaling the recruitment of splicing regulatory proteins. The C-terminal domain of the RNA polymerase II largest subunit serves as a coordination platform that binds factors required for adapting chromatin structure to both efficient transcription and processing of the newly synthesized RNA. Reciprocal interconnectivity of steps required for gene activation plays a critical role ensuring efficiency and fidelity of gene expression.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal. Electronic address: sergioalmeida@fm.ul.pt.
authors.forename: Sérgio Fernandes
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: de Almeida
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Medicina Molecular, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-028 Lisboa, Portugal. Electronic address: carmo.fonseca@fm.ul.pt.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Carmo-Fonseca
mesh_terms: D002843:Chromatin / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008745:Methylation; D008957:Models, Genetic; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism; D012326:RNA Splicing; D017381:Spliceosomes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D002843:Chromatin; D006657:Histones; D012319:RNA Polymerase II; C410949:RNA polymerase II largest subunit
keywords: CTD; Chromatin; Nucleosome; RNA polymerase II; Splicing regulation