von Hippel Peter H, Pasman Zvi
Institute of Molecular Biology and Department of Chemistry, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR 97403, USA.
Biophys Chem. 2002 Dec 10;101-102:401-23. doi: 10.1016/s0301-4622(02)00160-6.
Transcription of DNA into RNA is a central part of gene expression, and is highly regulated in all organisms. In order to approach transcription control systems on a molecular basis we must understand the mechanisms used by the transcription complex to discharge its various functions, which include transcript initiation, elongation, editing, and termination. In this article we describe recent progress in sorting out the multiple reaction pathways that are, at least in principle, available to the transcription complex at each DNA template position, and show how transcription control systems partition active complexes into these pathways. Understanding these regulatory processes requires an elucidation of the molecular details of how sequence- and factor-dependent changes in the conformations, stabilities, and reaction rates of the complexes determine function. Recent progress in unraveling these issues is summarized in this article and emerging principles that govern the regulation of the elongation phase of transcription are discussed.
DNA转录为RNA是基因表达的核心环节，且在所有生物体中都受到高度调控。为了从分子层面研究转录控制系统，我们必须了解转录复合物执行其各种功能所采用的机制，这些功能包括转录起始、延伸、编辑和终止。在本文中，我们描述了在梳理转录复合物在每个DNA模板位置至少原则上可用的多种反应途径方面的最新进展，并展示了转录控制系统如何将活性复合物分配到这些途径中。理解这些调控过程需要阐明复合物的构象、稳定性和反应速率的序列依赖性和因子依赖性变化如何决定功能的分子细节。本文总结了在揭示这些问题方面的最新进展，并讨论了调控转录延伸阶段的新出现的原则。
