title: Traveling Rocky Roads: The Consequences of Transcription-Blocking DNA Lesions on RNA Polymerase II.
abstract: The faithful transcription of eukaryotic genes by RNA polymerase II (RNAP2) is crucial for proper cell function and tissue homeostasis. However, transcription-blocking DNA lesions of both endogenous and environmental origin continuously challenge the progression of elongating RNAP2. The stalling of RNAP2 on a transcription-blocking lesion triggers a series of highly regulated events, including RNAP2 processing to make the lesion accessible for DNA repair, R-loop-mediated DNA damage signaling, and the initiation of transcription-coupled DNA repair. The correct execution and coordination of these processes is vital for resuming transcription following the successful repair of transcription-blocking lesions. Here, we outline recent insights into the molecular consequences of RNAP2 stalling on transcription-blocking DNA lesions and how these lesions are resolved to restore mRNA synthesis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC, Wytemaweg 80, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Steurer
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Genetics, Erasmus MC, Wytemaweg 80, Rotterdam 3015 CN, The Netherlands. Electronic address: J.Marteijn@erasmusmc.nl.
authors.forename: Jurgen A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Marteijn
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004249:DNA Damage; D004260:DNA Repair / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D012319:RNA Polymerase II / Q000378:metabolism*; D015398:Signal Transduction; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D012319:RNA Polymerase II
keywords: DNA damage; RNA polymerase 2; nucleotide excision repair; transcription coupled repair; transcription restart