Pausing or stalling of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) occurs frequently during transcription in response to various obstacles such as nucleosomes, DNA damage and intrinsic secondary structures in the DNA. When RNAPII encounters obstacles during transcription it backtracks on the DNA template, displacing the 3’ end of the nascent RNA from the active site of RNAPII. For continued transcription RNAPII has to realign its active center with the 3’ end of the RNA molecule. The transcription elongation factor TFIIS (TCEA in humans) stimulates transcription by activating RNAPII from the backtracked state. This re-activation of RNAPII is mediated by TFIIS through stimulation of the intrinsic nuclease activity of RNAPII. Subsequently, the active center of RNAPII and the RNA 3’ end are aligned by endonucleolytic cleavage of the RNA.

Our studies are aimed at studying the transcription elongation factor TCEA1, in particular its role in reactivating paused RNAPII and the role of micro RNA in regulating TCEA1 expression.