RNA polymerase II: subunit structure and function

Trends Biochem Sci. 1990 Sep;15(9):347-51. doi: 10.1016/0968-0004(90)90074-l.

Abstract

RNA polymerase II is the core of the complex apparatus that is responsible for the regulated synthesis of mRNA. A comprehensive knowledge of RNA polymerase II is essential to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms through which a variety of transcription factors regulate eukaryotic gene expression. The recent cloning of genes for all ten subunits of yeast RNA polymerase II has revealed intriguing similarities and differences between the eukaryotic RNA polymerase and its simpler prokaryotic counterpart. Epitope tagging and other experiments made possible by the cloning of these genes have provided a clearer picture of RNA polymerase II subunit composition, stoichiometry and function, and set the stage for further investigating the dialogue between RNA polymerase II and transcription factors.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Epitopes
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • RNA Polymerase II / genetics
  • RNA Polymerase II / physiology*
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / enzymology
  • Saccharomyces cerevisiae / genetics
  • Structure-Activity Relationship

Substances

  • Epitopes
  • RNA Polymerase II