SNAP output for PDB entry 8ran [SNAP web server]

PDB-id

8ran; SNAP-derived features in text and JSON formats; DNAproDB

Class

gene regulation

Method

cryo-EM (3.25 Å)

Summary

Structure of sen1-RNA complex

Reference

Rengachari S, Hainthaler T, Oberthuer C, Lidschreiber M, Cramer P (2024): "Mechanism of polyadenylation-independent RNA polymerase II termination." Nat.Struct.Mol.Biol. doi: 10.1038/s41594-024-01409-0.

Abstract

The mechanisms underlying the initiation and elongation of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) transcription are well-studied, whereas termination remains poorly understood. Here we analyze the mechanism of polyadenylation-independent Pol II termination mediated by the yeast Sen1 helicase. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of two pretermination intermediates show that Sen1 binds to Pol II and uses its adenosine triphosphatase activity to pull on exiting RNA in the 5' direction. This is predicted to push Pol II forward, induce an unstable hypertranslocated state and destabilize the transcription bubble, thereby facilitating termination. This mechanism of transcription termination may be widely used because it is conceptually conserved in the bacterial transcription system.