The MYB gene as a model for global transcriptional regulation: stopping, starting and looping (2009-2011)

Gene expression whether genes are turned on or off is regulated primarily at the level of transcription, whereby genetic information is copied from DNA into RNA by the enzyme RNA polymerase. In one form of transcriptional control, RNA polymerase stalls soon after transcription starts; restarting or elongation then determines whether the gene is expressed. Here we will study how transcriptional elongation controls the MYB gene, which is a key regulator of normal and cancerous cell growth and maturation. In addition to the importance of studying MYB itself, this work will provide substantial insight into the mechanisms of transcriptional elongation control, which has recently been shown to be more widespread than previously thought.