Eukaryotic transcription initiation machinery visualized at molecular level

Transcription. 2016 Oct 19;7(5):203-208. doi: 10.1080/21541264.2016.1237150.

Abstract

The structures of RNA Polymerase (Pol) II pre-initiation complexes (PIC) have recently been determined at near-atomic resolution, elucidating unprecedented mechanistic details of promoter opening during transcription initiation. The key structural features of promoter opening are summarized here. Structural knowledge of Pol I and III PIC is also briefly discussed.

Keywords: RNA polymerase; general transcription factor; pre-initiation complex; promoter opening; transcription initiation.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Eukaryota / chemistry
  • Eukaryota / enzymology
  • Eukaryota / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Models, Molecular
  • Multiprotein Complexes / chemistry
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA Polymerase II / chemistry
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism*
  • Transcription Factor TFIIH / chemistry
  • Transcription Factor TFIIH / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Transcription Factor TFIIH
  • RNA Polymerase II