Transcription: another mark in the tail

Abstract

The C-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) subunit undergoes dynamic phosphorylation to support transcription-associated events and drive the transcription cycle. In mammalian cells, it comprises 52 repeats of the heptapeptide sequence Tyr(1)–Ser(2)–Pro(3)–Thr(4)–Ser(5)–Pro(6)–Ser(7). While important functions for Ser(2)-, Ser(5)-, and Ser(7)-phosphorylation have previously been described, a new report in The EMBO Journal now suggests an unexpectedly crucial role for Thr(4) phosphorylation as well.