Assembly and Dynamics of Transcription Initiation Complexes.
| Title: | Assembly and Dynamics of Transcription Initiation Complexes. |
|---|---|
| Authors: | Esbin MN; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA; email: jmlim@berkeley.edu.; Cookis T; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA; email: jmlim@berkeley.edu.; Anantakrishnan S; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA; email: jmlim@berkeley.edu.; Biophysics Graduate Group, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA.; Abidi AA; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA; email: jmlim@berkeley.edu.; Karr J; C×T Discovery, Berkeley, California, USA.; Cattoglio C; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA; email: jmlim@berkeley.edu.; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA.; Darzacq X; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA; email: jmlim@berkeley.edu.; Tjian R; Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA; email: jmlim@berkeley.edu.; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA. |
| Source: | Annual review of biochemistry [Annu Rev Biochem] 2025 Jun; Vol. 94 (1), pp. 305-331. Date of Electronic Publication: 2025 Mar 25. |
| Publication Type: | Journal Article; Review |
| Language: | English |
| Journal Info: | Publisher: Annual Reviews Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 2985150R Publication Model: Print-Electronic Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1545-4509 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00664154 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Annu Rev Biochem Subsets: MEDLINE |
| Imprint Name(s): | Original Publication: Palo Alto, CA : Annual Reviews |
| MeSH Terms: | Transcription Factors*/metabolism ; Transcription Factors*/genetics ; Transcription Factors*/chemistry ; Transcription Initiation, Genetic*; Single Molecule Imaging/methods ; RNA, Messenger/genetics ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism ; Humans ; Animals ; Transcription, Genetic |
| Abstract: | Gene expression is essential for life and development, allowing the cell to modulate mRNA production in response to intrinsic and extracellular cues. Initiation of gene transcription requires a highly regulated molecular process to assemble multisubunit complexes into the preinitiation complex (PIC). Attempts to visualize these processes have been driven largely by electron microscopy, with near atomic-level resolution producing static snapshots complemented by low-resolution fluorescence cell imaging. Here, we review how new advances in superresolution single-molecule imaging in live cells can track transcription across vast spatiotemporal scales. We discuss how recent imaging research has fundamentally recast our understanding of PIC assembly from a stable, ordered process to one constantly in flux, dominated by multivalent weak interactions. We also discuss future advancements that will further expand our ability to measure PIC assembly in concert with cellular behavior, predict complex interactions computationally, and target undruggable transcription factors to treat human disease. |
| Contributed Indexing: | Keywords: RNA polymerase II; gene regulation; protein complex assembly; single-molecule imaging; superresolution microscopy; transcription |
| Substance Nomenclature: | 0 (Transcription Factors); 0 (RNA, Messenger) |
| Entry Date(s): | Date Created: 20250325 Date Completed: 20250624 Latest Revision: 20250926 |
| Update Code: | 20260130 |
| DOI: | 10.1146/annurev-biochem-072324-035226 |
| PMID: | 40132230 |
| Database: | MEDLINE |
Journal Article; Review