Abstract
Transcription termination is a fundamental process in which RNA polymerase ceases RNA chain extension and dissociates from the chromatin template, thereby defining the end of the transcription unit. Our understanding of the biological role and functional importance of termination by RNA polymerase II and the range of processes in which it is involved has grown significantly in recent years. A large set of nucleic acid-binding proteins and enzymes have been identified as part of the termination machinery. A greater appreciation for the coupling of termination to RNA processing and metabolism has been recognized. In addition to serving as an essential step at the end of the transcription cycle, termination is involved in the regulation of a broad range of cellular processes. More recently, a role for termination in pervasive transcription, non-coding RNA regulation, genetic stability, chromatin remodeling, the immune response, and disease has come to the fore. Interesting mechanistic questions remain, but the last several years have resulted in significant insights into termination and an increasing recognition of its biological importance.
Highlights
Transcription termination is the complex and tightly regulated process in which polymerase stops RNA chain elongation and dissociates from the end of transcription units
A multiplicity of termination factors, which assemble into a number of complexes, govern the biogenesis of various types of transcripts including messenger RNA, small nuclear RNA, small nucleolar RNA, and long non-coding RNA
Recent reviews have described some of these fundamental mechanisms and factors involved in termination by RNA polymerase II1–6
Summary
Transcription termination is the complex and tightly regulated process in which polymerase stops RNA chain elongation and dissociates from the end of transcription units. These readthrough products, only some of which became polyadenylated, encountered fewer polyA sites downstream of the coding sequence, which could explain less efficient termination for the DoG transcript It is not clear what functional role the DoGs play; their strong association with chromatin suggests they become incorporated into the nuclear scaffolding during stress responses. In the absence of Zfp[318], it is suggested that the termination event becomes so strong that transcripts hardly extend into the δ exons, leaving cells with a pool of precursor transcripts ending near the polyA site for the upstream μ exons, and giving B cells no option of making IgD This was one of the few shifts observed in that transcriptome, showing a very specific consequence following the loss of Zfp[318]. Abbreviations AID, activation-induced cytidine deaminase; DoGs, downstream of genes containing transcripts; Ig, immunoglobulin; lncRNA, long non-coding RNA; mRNA, messenger RNA; pol II, RNA polymerase II; polyA, polyadenylation; SMN, survival of motor neuron protein; snoRNA, small nucleolar RNA. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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