Danko et al. studied the kinetics of RNA polymerase II (Pol II)-dependent transcription elongation using global run-on sequencing. They found that the elongation rate of the same gene differed between cell lines and in response to tumour necrosis factor (TNF) or 17β-oestradiol, and it increased as transcription progressed. Furthermore, an increased elongation rate correlated with a higher density of Pol II at genes, which translated to higher rates of mRNA production. The authors also determined how TNF and 17β-oestradiol influence Pol II kinetics to stimulate gene expression; TNF promoted the release of paused Pol II at target genes, whereas 17β-oestradiol increased Pol II initiation. So, during transcription, elongation rate is variable, and the kinetics of Pol II initiation, pausing and elongation can be influenced by signalling pathways.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Danko, C. G. et al. Signaling pathways differentially affect RNA polymerase II initiation, pausing, and elongation rate in cells. Mol. Cell 21 Mar 2013 (doi:10.1016/j.molcel.2013.02.015)
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Wrighton, K. Transcription kinetics. Nat Rev Mol Cell Biol 14, 267 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm3576
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrm3576