The Integrator complex terminates promoter-proximal transcription at protein-coding genes
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ABSTRACT: The transition of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) from initiation to productive elongation is a central, regulated step in metazoan gene expression. At many genes, Pol II pauses stably in early elongation, remaining engaged with the 25-60 nucleotide-long nascent RNA for many minutes while awaiting signals for release into the gene body. However, a number of genes display highly unstable promoter Pol II, suggesting that paused polymerase terminates transcription at these promoters and releases a short, non-functional RNA. Here, we investigate the mechanisms driving Pol II instability and discover that the Integrator complex targets paused Pol II and terminates transcription at selected genes. Specifically, Integrator utilizes its RNA endonuclease activity to cleave nascent RNA and destabilize elongating polymerase. Our findings uncover a previously unappreciated mechanism of metazoan gene repression, wherein promoter paused Pol II is prevented from entering productive elongation through regulated termination.
ORGANISM(S): Drosophila melanogaster
PROVIDER: GSE114467 | GEO | 2019/11/27
REPOSITORIES: GEO
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