Single-molecule fluorescence microscopy studies by Zhou et al. show that transcription activator proteins bind at UAS/enhancer DNA and then sequentially or simultaneously recruit Mediator coactivator and RNA polymerase II to form an initiation complex precursor. Multiple DNA-bound activators synergistically enhance recruitment by binding to the same Mediator complex.

Gene expression is regulated by the targeted degradation of transcription factors through the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Transcription factors destined for degradation are recognized by E3 ubiquitin...

The neuron-specific RNA binding protein NOVA1 has a single amino acid substitution unique to modern humans. Here, the authors characterize the evolutional specificity and the function of the substitut...

The snRNA Activating Protein Complex (SNAPc) mediates snRNA transcription by RNA Pol II and III. Here, the authors have used cryo-EM to resolve the structure of the SNAPc-bound RNA Pol III pre-initiat...