ELL, a novel TFIIH partner, is involved in transcription restart after DNA repair

Abstract

Significance A variety of genotoxic agents cause DNA lesions which, when located on a transcribed gene, will block the RNA polymerase II and recruit DNA repair proteins, including the basal transcription factor IIH, to restore the genetic information via the pathway known as transcription-coupled repair. Once the repair process is completed, transcription is expected to restart to restore proper cellular functions. RNA polymerase II restart after DNA repair in higher eukaryotes has not been studied mechanistically. We have identified eleven-nineteen lysine-rich leukemia as specifically involved in transcription resumption after DNA repair and have been able to measure the effect of its absence on transcription and the dynamic behavior of RNA polymerase II during transcription-coupled repair.