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Modifications of RNA polymerase II are pivotal in regulating gene expression states

Modifications of RNA polymerase II are pivotal in regulating gene expression states
Modifications of RNA polymerase II are pivotal in regulating gene expression states
The regulation of gene expression programmes is essential for the generation of diverse cell types during development and for adaptation to environmental signals. RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcribes genetic information and coordinates the recruitment of accessory proteins that are responsible for the establishment of active chromatin states and transcript maturation. RNAPII is post-translationally modified at active genes during transcription initiation, elongation and termination, and thereby recruits specific histone and RNA modifiers. RNAPII complexes are also located at silent genes in promoter-proximal paused configurations that provide dynamic transcriptional regulation downstream from initiation. In embryonic stem cells, silent developmental regulator genes that are repressed by Polycomb are associated with a form of RNAPII that can elongate through coding regions but that lacks the post-translational modifications that are important for coupling RNA synthesis to co-transcriptional maturation. Here, we discuss the mechanisms through which the transcription of silent genes might be dissociated from productive expression, and the sophisticated interplay between the transcriptional machinery, Polycomb repression and RNA processing.
1469-221X
1213-1219
Brookes, Emily
425dafc2-111b-4f6c-9336-f720c4ef8cac
Pombo, Ana
9ea8d0ea-3ec6-43d4-92d5-d1754994a366
Brookes, Emily
425dafc2-111b-4f6c-9336-f720c4ef8cac
Pombo, Ana
9ea8d0ea-3ec6-43d4-92d5-d1754994a366

Brookes, Emily and Pombo, Ana (2009) Modifications of RNA polymerase II are pivotal in regulating gene expression states. EMBO reports, 2009 (10), 1213-1219. (doi:10.1038/embor.2009.221).

Record type: Article

Abstract

The regulation of gene expression programmes is essential for the generation of diverse cell types during development and for adaptation to environmental signals. RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcribes genetic information and coordinates the recruitment of accessory proteins that are responsible for the establishment of active chromatin states and transcript maturation. RNAPII is post-translationally modified at active genes during transcription initiation, elongation and termination, and thereby recruits specific histone and RNA modifiers. RNAPII complexes are also located at silent genes in promoter-proximal paused configurations that provide dynamic transcriptional regulation downstream from initiation. In embryonic stem cells, silent developmental regulator genes that are repressed by Polycomb are associated with a form of RNAPII that can elongate through coding regions but that lacks the post-translational modifications that are important for coupling RNA synthesis to co-transcriptional maturation. Here, we discuss the mechanisms through which the transcription of silent genes might be dissociated from productive expression, and the sophisticated interplay between the transcriptional machinery, Polycomb repression and RNA processing.

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Published date: 1 November 2009

Identifiers

Local EPrints ID: 472127
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/472127
ISSN: 1469-221X
PURE UUID: 2fe6204f-1d8f-4a25-ad05-b255f438535f
ORCID for Emily Brookes: ORCID iD orcid.org/0000-0003-2175-4349

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Date deposited: 28 Nov 2022 17:38
Last modified: 17 Mar 2024 04:14

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Contributors

Author: Emily Brookes ORCID iD
Author: Ana Pombo

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