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The transformation of the DNA template in RNA polymerase II transcription: a historical perspective

Nature Structural & Molecular Biology volume 26, pages 766–770 (2019)Cite this article

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Abstract

The discovery of RNA polymerases I, II, and III opened up a new era in gene expression. Here I provide a personal retrospective account of the transformation of the DNA template, as it evolved from naked DNA to chromatin, in the biochemical analysis of transcription by RNA polymerase II. These studies have revealed new insights into the mechanisms by which transcription factors function with chromatin to regulate gene expression.

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Fig. 1: A model for transcriptional activation in which sequence-specific DNA-binding transcription factors function to counteract chromatin-mediated repression (anti-repression).
Fig. 2: Perspectives on the perceived importance of chromatin in transcriptional regulation.
Fig. 3: The 1994 version of the steps that lead to the activation of transcription.

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Acknowledgements

This perspective is dedicated to Robert G. (‘Bob’) Roeder in recognition of his immeasurable contributions to the understanding of transcription in eukaryotes. I thank E.P. Geiduschek, S. Lauberth, G. Kassavetis, J. Fei, G. Cruz, L. Vo ngoc, and C. Huang for reading the manuscript and providing helpful suggestions. I would like to express my gratitude to all of the past and present members of the Kadonaga laboratory, as well as to colleagues in the chromatin and transcription fields over the years. I apologize for any oversights or omissions. J.T.K. is the Amylin Chair in the Life Sciences. Research in the Kadonaga laboratory is supported by a grant from the US National Institutes of Health/National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R35 GM118060) to J.T.K.

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  1. Section of Molecular Biology, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA

    James T. Kadonaga

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Correspondence to James T. Kadonaga.

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Kadonaga, J.T. The transformation of the DNA template in RNA polymerase II transcription: a historical perspective. Nat Struct Mol Biol 26, 766–770 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41594-019-0278-y

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