Promoter-proximal Pausing of RNA Polymerase II: a Nexus of Gene Regulation

Overview

Journal Genes Dev

Specialty Molecular Biology

Date 2019 May 25

PMID 31123063

Citations 264

Authors

Leighton Core

Karen Adelman

Affiliations

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Abstract

Precise spatio-temporal control of gene activity is essential for organismal development, growth, and survival in a changing environment. Decisive steps in gene regulation involve the pausing of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) in early elongation, and the controlled release of paused polymerase into productive RNA synthesis. Here we describe the factors that enable pausing and the events that trigger Pol II release into the gene. We also discuss open questions in the field concerning the stability of paused Pol II, nucleosomes as obstacles to elongation, and potential roles of pausing in defining the precision and dynamics of gene expression.

Citing Articles

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