Structure of the human Mediator-bound transcription preinitiation complex

• DOI: 10.1126/science.abg3074
• Publication Date: 2021-03-11T20:10:21Z
• Authors: R. Abdella; A. Talyzina; S. Chen; C. J. Inouye; R. Tjian; Y. He
• Keywords: Transcription preinitiation complex; Mediator; RNA polymerase II; Eukaryotic transcription; General transcription factor; Transcription

Mediating transcription The Mediator complex is recruited by factors to all protein-coding genes in eukaryotes and helps assemble the machinery necessary transcribe gene. Abdella et al. present cryo–electron microscopy structure of human Mediator-bound preinitiation (Med-PIC). shows how positions long, flexible C-terminal domain RNA polymerase II be phosphorylated kinase CDK7, a crucial step for further processing into mature RNA. Most sites where bind are flexibly tethered complex, allowing large Med-PIC at any Science , this issue p. 52