title: Structural basis of transcription initiation by RNA polymerase II.
abstract: Transcription of eukaryotic protein-coding genes commences with the assembly of a conserved initiation complex, which consists of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) and the general transcription factors, at promoter DNA. After two decades of research, the structural basis of transcription initiation is emerging. Crystal structures of many components of the initiation complex have been resolved, and structural information on Pol II complexes with general transcription factors has recently been obtained. Although mechanistic details await elucidation, available data outline how Pol II cooperates with the general transcription factors to bind to and open promoter DNA, and how Pol II directs RNA synthesis and escapes from the promoter.
authors.affiliation: 1] Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany. [2].
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sainsbury
authors.affiliation: 1] Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany. [2].
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bernecky
authors.affiliation: Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Department of Molecular Biology, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Göttingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cramer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D005057:Eukaryotic Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008958:Models, Molecular; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D011485:Protein Binding; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000737:chemistry*; D035165:Transcription Factors, General / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D061785:Transcription Initiation, Genetic
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D035165:Transcription Factors, General; D004247:DNA; D012319:RNA Polymerase II