Structures illustrate step-by-step mitochondrial transcription initiation.

ABSTRACT: Transcription initiation is a key regulatory step in gene expression during which RNA polymerase (RNAP) initiates RNA synthesis de novo, and the synthesized RNA at a specific length triggers the transition to the elongation phase. Mitochondria recruit a single-subunit RNAP and one or two auxiliary factors to initiate transcription. Previous studies have revealed the molecular architectures of yeast¹ and human² mitochondrial RNAP initiation complexes (ICs). Here we provide a comprehensive, stepwise mechanism of transcription initiation by solving high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of yeast mitochondrial RNAP and the transcription factor Mtf1 catalysing two- to eight-nucleotide RNA synthesis at single-nucleotide addition steps. The growin

SUBMITTER: Goovaerts Q 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10600007 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature