9sv6
CryoEM structure of transcribing RNA polymerase II elongation complex with ATP and Elf1
Structural highlights
FunctionRPB1_YEAST DNA-dependent RNA polymerase catalyzes the transcription of DNA into RNA using the four ribonucleoside triphosphates as substrates. Largest and catalytic component of RNA polymerase II which synthesizes mRNA precursors and many functional non-coding RNAs. Forms the polymerase active center together with the second largest subunit. Pol II is the central component of the basal RNA polymerase II transcription machinery. During a transcription cycle, Pol II, general transcription factors and the Mediator complex assemble as the preinitiation complex (PIC) at the promoter. 11-15 base pairs of DNA surrounding the transcription start site are melted and the single stranded DNA template strand of the promoter is positioned deeply within the central active site cleft of Pol II to form the open complex. After synthesis of about 30 bases of RNA, Pol II releases its contacts with the core promoter and the rest of the transcription machinery (promoter clearance) and enters the stage of transcription elongation in which it moves on the template as the transcript elongates. Pol II appears to oscillate between inactive and active conformations at each step of nucleotide addition. Elongation is influenced by the phosphorylation status of the C-terminal domain (CTD) of Pol II largest subunit (RPB1), which serves as a platform for assembly of factors that regulate transcription initiation, elongation, termination and mRNA processing. Pol II is composed of mobile elements that move relative to each other. The core element with the central large cleft comprises RPB3, RBP10, RPB11, RPB12 and regions of RPB1 and RPB2 forming the active center. The clamp element (portions of RPB1, RPB2 and RPB3) is connected to the core through a set of flexible switches and moves to open and close the cleft. A bridging helix emanates from RPB1 and crosses the cleft near the catalytic site and is thought to promote translocation of Pol II by acting as a ratchet that moves the RNA-DNA hybrid through the active site by switching from straight to bent conformations at each step of nucleotide addition. In elongating Pol II, the lid loop (RPB1) appears to act as a wedge to drive apart the DNA and RNA strands at the upstream end of the transcription bubble and guide the RNA strand toward the RNA exit groove located near the base of the largely unstructured CTD domain of RPB1. The rudder loop (RPB1) interacts with single stranded DNA after separation from the RNA strand, likely preventing reassociation with the exiting RNA. The cleft is surrounded by jaws: an upper jaw formed by portions of RBP1, RPB2 and RPB9, and a lower jaw, formed by RPB5 and portions of RBP1. The jaws are thought to grab the incoming DNA template, mainly by RPB5 direct contacts to DNA. Publication Abstract from PubMedRNA polymerase II (RNA Pol II) is central to gene expression, but its catalytic mechanism remains elusive due to the absence of high-resolution structural data. The role of water molecules in RNA Pol II catalysis is unknown. Here, we present 3 high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy structures of active Saccharomyces cerevisiae RNA Pol II elongation complexes in distinct catalytic states: two pre-catalysis states at 1.96 A and 2.26 A resolution and a post-catalysis state at 2.33 A resolution. Each structure contains over 700-1,350 ordered water molecules, many located at functionally critical positions. Comparative analysis shows that these waters play essential roles in proton-transfer steps during RNA Pol II catalysis, facilitating substrate recognition and trigger-loop folding during nucleotide addition. Strikingly, these waters are conserved between prokaryotic and eukaryotic transcription machineries (see Mueller and Darst). These findings provide unprecedented mechanistic insights into RNA Pol II catalysis and reveal vital and evolutionarily conserved roles of water molecules in transcription. Sub-2 A cryo-EM structures of transcribing RNA polymerase II reveal critical roles of water molecules in catalysis.,Li Q, Yi G, Wu Y, Xu S, Chong J, Huang X, Zhang P, Wang D Mol Cell. 2026 May 21;86(10):1896-1910.e7. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2026.04.007. , Epub 2026 Apr 30. PMID:42066756[1] From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. References
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