Transcription factors IIE and IIH and ATP hydrolysis direct promoter clearance by RNA polymerase II. Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Using a defined RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription system, we have investigated the roles of basal factors at discrete stages during the transcription cycle (e.g., initiation, promoter clearance, and transcript elongation). Abortive initiation assays revealed that TATA-binding protein, transcription factors TFIIB and TFIIF, and pol II were necessary and sufficient to form functional initiation complexes on both linear and supercoiled templates. By contrast, TFIIE, TFIIH, and ATP hydrolysis were additionally required during promoter clearance from linear templates, while negative supercoiling obviated the need for these auxiliary factors. Furthermore, TFIIE, TFIIH, and supercoiling were not required during elongation. Our results suggest a role for TFIIH-associated helicase activity or supercoiling during promoter clearance rather than open complex formation. These results establish abortive initiation as a useful assay for studying functional initiation complex formation in defined eukaryotic transcription systems and provide a framework for investigating regulation at different stages of the eukaryotic transcription cycle.

publication date

  • April 8, 1994

has subject area

Date in CU Experts

  • October 18, 2013 3:21 AM

Full Author List

  • Goodrich JA; Tjian R

author count

  • 2

published in

Other Profiles

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0092-8674

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 145

end page

  • 156

volume

  • 77

issue

  • 1