Subunits Common to RNA Polymerases

Abstract

RNA polymerases are heteromultimeric complexes responsible of RNA synthesis. In yeast, as in the other eukaryotes, these complexes contain five common subunits (Rpb5, Rpb6, Rpb8, Rpb10 and Rpb12) that must have similar functions in the three RNA polymerases. However, some of these proteins have been shown to also have specific roles. In the last few decades, substantial progress has been made to understand the role of these common subunits in transcription, but their participation in the activity of each enzyme remains unclear. This review gives a comprehensive overview of current knowledge on the five common subunits of eukaryotic RNA pol, placing attention not only on their common roles in the activity of the RNA pols but also on describing specific roles for some of the complexes.