The Importance of Controlling Transcription Elongation at Coding and Noncoding RNA Loci.
Here we discuss current paradigms for how transcription initiation and elongation control are achieved in mammalian cells, and how they differ at protein-coding mRNA genes versus noncoding RNA (ncRNA) loci. We present a model for the function of ncRNAs wherein the act of transcription is regulatory, rather than the ncRNA products themselves. We further describe how the establishment of transcriptionally engaged, but paused, RNA polymerase II impacts chromatin structure around divergent transcription start sites, and how this can influence transcription factor binding and mRNA gene activity in the region.
Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709.
Benjamin S
BS
Scruggs
Epigenetics and Stem Cell Biology Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27709.
Karen
K
Adelman
D000818:Animals; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008957:Models, Genetic; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics*; D022661:RNA, Untranslated / Q000235:genetics*; D061805:Transcription Elongation, Genetic; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D061785:Transcription Initiation, Genetic; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D022661:RNA, Untranslated; D014157:Transcription Factors; D012319:RNA Polymerase II