One step back before moving forward: regulation of transcription elongation by arrest and backtracking

FEBS Lett. 2012 Aug 31;586(18):2820-5. doi: 10.1016/j.febslet.2012.07.030. Epub 2012 Jul 17.

Abstract

RNA polymerase II backtracking is a well-known phenomenon, but its involvement in gene regulation is yet to be addressed. Structural studies into the backtracked complex, new reactivation mechanisms and genome-wide approaches are shedding some light on this interesting aspect of gene transcription. In this review, we briefly summarise these new findings, comment about some results recently obtained in our laboratory, and propose a new model for the influence of the chromatin context on RNA polymerase II backtracking.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Chromatin / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism
  • Transcription, Genetic*

Substances

  • Chromatin
  • RNA Polymerase II