Conaway RC, Conaway JW. The Mediator complex and transcription elongation.
BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENE REGULATORY MECHANISMS 2012;
1829:69-75. [PMID:
22983086 DOI:
10.1016/j.bbagrm.2012.08.017]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2012] [Revised: 08/14/2012] [Accepted: 08/29/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Mediator is an evolutionarily conserved multisubunit RNA polymerase II (Pol II) coregulatory complex. Although Mediator was initially found to play a critical role in the regulation of the initiation of Pol II transcription, recent studies have brought to light an expanded role for Mediator at post-initiation stages of transcription.
SCOPE OF REVIEW
We provide a brief description of the structure of Mediator and its function in the regulation of Pol II transcription initiation, and we summarize recent findings implicating Mediator in the regulation of various stages of Pol II transcription elongation.
MAJOR CONCLUSIONS
Emerging evidence is revealing new roles for Mediator in nearly all stages of Pol II transcription, including initiation, promoter escape, elongation, pre-mRNA processing, and termination.
GENERAL SIGNIFICANCE
Mediator plays a central role in the regulation of gene expression by impacting nearly all stages of mRNA synthesis. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: RNA polymerase II Transcript Elongation.
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