Contributions of in vitro transcription to the understanding of human RNA polymerase III transcription

Abstract

Human RNA polymerase IIIiii transcribes small untranslated RNAs that contribute to the regulation of essential cellular processes, including transcription, RNA processing and translation. Analysis of this transcription system by in vitro transcription techniques has largely contributed to the discovery of its transcription factors and to the understanding of the regulation of human RNA polymerase transcription. Here we review some of the key steps that led to the identification of transcription factors and to the definition of minimal promoter sequences for human RNA polymerase IIIiii transcription. © 2014 Landes Bioscience.