The CTD role in cotranscriptional RNA processing and surveillance

Abstract 

In higher eukaryotes, the production of mature messenger RNA that exits the nucleus to be translated into protein requires precise and extensive processing of the nascent transcript. The processing steps include 5′-end capping, splicing, and 3′-end formation. Pre-mRNA processing is coupled to transcription by mechanisms that are not well understood but involve the carboxyl-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II. This review focuses on recent findings that provide novel insight into the role of the CTD in promoting RNA processing and surveillance.

Abbreviations: CTD, Carboxyl-terminal domain of the largest subunit of RNA Polymerase II, U snRNP, Uridine-rich small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle, ss, splice site, Py, pyrimidine, m⁷G, 7-methyl guanosine

Keywords: Splicing, Transcription, CTD, RNA polymerase II, RNA surveillance