Diverse classes of non-coding RNAs, including snRNAs (small nuclear RNAs), play fundamental regulatory roles in gene expression. For example, 7SK RNA and the components of the splicing apparatus U1–U6 snRNAs are implicated in the regulation of transcriptional elongation. The first evidence for the involvement of RNA in the regulation of transcriptional initiation is now emerging. TFIIH (transcription factor IIH), a general transcription initiation factor, appears to associate specifically with U1 snRNA, a core splicing component. Reconstituted transcription in vitro demonstrates an increase in the rate of formation of the first phosphodiester bond by RNA polymerase II in presence of U1 snRNA. Reconstituted re-initiation is also stimulated by U1 snRNA. These results suggest that U1 snRNA functions in the regulation of transcription by RNA polymerase II in addition to its role in RNA processing. The implications of these data extend to the development of new technologies that will allow the identification and analysis of diverse RNA species present as regulatory components in transcription-related ribonucleoprotein complexes.
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January 2006
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Conference Article|
January 01 2006
Non-coding RNA in transcription initiation
William O'Gorman;
William O'Gorman
1Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, U.K.
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Kon Yew Kwek;
Kon Yew Kwek
1Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, U.K.
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Benjamin Thomas;
Benjamin Thomas
1Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, U.K.
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Alexandre Akoulitchev
Alexandre Akoulitchev
1
1Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3RE, U.K.
1To whom correspondence should be addressed (email [email protected]).
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Online ISSN: 1744-1439
Print ISSN: 0067-8694
© 2006 Biochemical Society
2006
Biochem Soc Symp (2006) 73: 131–140.
Citation
Stefan G.E. Roberts, Robert O.J. Weinzierl, Robert J. White, William O'Gorman, Kon Yew Kwek, Benjamin Thomas, Alexandre Akoulitchev; Non-coding RNA in transcription initiation. Biochem Soc Symp 1 January 2006; 73 131–140. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/bss0730131
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