Trypanosome spliced leader RNA genes contain the first identified RNA polymerase II gene promoter in these organisms.

ABSTRACT: Typical general transcription factors, such as TATA binding protein and TFII B, have not yet been identified in any member of the Trypanosomatidae family of parasitic protozoa. Interestingly, mRNA coding genes do not appear to have discrete transcriptional start sites, although in most cases they require an RNA polymerase that has the biochemical properties of eukaryotic RNA polymerase II. A discrete transcription initiation site may not be necessary for mRNA synthesis since the sequences upstream of each transcribed coding region are trimmed from the nascent transcript when a short m(7)G-capped RNA is added during mRNA maturation. This short 39 nt m(7)G-capped RNA, the spliced leader (SL) sequence, is expressed as an approximately 100 nt long RNA from a set of reiterated, though independe

SUBMITTER: Gilinger G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC31286 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature