Mechanisms of Transcription Elongation Factor DSIF (Spt4-Spt5)

J Mol Biol. 2021 Jul 9;433(14):166657. doi: 10.1016/j.jmb.2020.09.016. Epub 2020 Sep 25.

Abstract

The transcription elongation factor Spt5 is conserved from bacteria to humans. In eukaryotes, Spt5 forms a complex with Spt4 and regulates processive transcription elongation. Recent studies on transcription elongation suggest different mechanistic roles in yeast versus mammals. Higher eukaryotes utilize Spt4-Spt5 (DSIF) to regulate promoter-proximal pausing, a transcription-regulatory mechanism that connects initiation to productive elongation. DSIF is a versatile transcription factor and has been implicated in both gene-specific regulation and transcription through nucleosomes. Future studies will further elucidate the role of DSIF in transcriptional dynamics and disentangle its inhibitory and enhancing activities in transcription.

Keywords: RNA polymerase II; enhancer; gene regulation; nucleosome; pausing.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / metabolism*
  • Enhancer Elements, Genetic
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism*
  • Nucleosomes / metabolism
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • RNA Polymerase II / metabolism
  • Repressor Proteins / metabolism*
  • Transcriptional Elongation Factors / metabolism*
  • Yeasts / genetics
  • Yeasts / metabolism

Substances

  • Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Nucleosomes
  • Repressor Proteins
  • SUPT4H1 protein, human
  • Transcriptional Elongation Factors
  • SPT5 transcriptional elongation factor
  • RNA Polymerase II