Transcription initiation from TATA-less promoters within eukaryotic protein-coding genes

摘要

Since 1979, when cell-free extracts that support accurate transcription by RNA polymerase II were first reported 1 , the basic biochemical mechanisms of transcription initiation from protein-coding genes have been dissected in considerable detail 2–4. Numerous laboratories have contributed to this analysis, with virtually all of the key advances involving studies of promoters whose activities depend on a common control element known as a TATA box 5–9 . In metazoan genes, the TATA box is located 25–30 bp upstream of the transcription start site and directs accurate transcription initiation through a mechanism that depends on its specific interaction with a protein called TBP TATA-binding protein 10–14.