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Published February 14, 1992 | public
Journal Article

The elongation-termination decision in transcription

Abstract

At any template position, the decision to extend the transcript by one residue or to release the nascent RNA represents a kinetic competition between elongation and termination pathways. This competition is discussed in terms of alternative Eyring transition state barriers; changes in termination efficiency correspond to small changes in the relative heights of these barriers. Elongation complexes are stable at nonterminator positions; a model is presented to explain the destabilization of these complexes at intrinsic termination sites. Functionally analogous effects can operate at rho-dependent terminators. Mechanisms for modulation of termination efficiency by regulatory proteins are described.

Additional Information

© 1992 American Association for the Advancement of Science. We thank many colleagues for discussions and A. Das, C. Gross, and D. Jin for providing unpublished information. Supported in part by USPHS research grants GM-15792 and GM-29158 (to P.H.v.H.) and by a grant to the University of Oregon from the Lucille P. Markey Charitable Trust. P.H.v.H. is an American Cancer Society Research Professor of Chemistry.

Additional details

Created:
August 20, 2023
Modified:
October 19, 2023