How RNA polymerase II terminates transcription in higher eukaryotes

Abstract

The termination of transcription of eukaryotic genes by RNA polymerase II, at first sight, appears to be a rather random process, with the heterogeneous transcripts produced being processed to generate their correct 3' ends. However, recent studies have revealed that specific termination or pause sites may influence the process. The mechanism of termination may even play a role in eukaryotic gene regulation.