Abstract
The elongation step of transcription is now recognized as a critical target for transcription regulation. An increasing number of elongation factors have been identified, and the regulatory mechanism of elongation seems to be as complex as that of transcription initiation. A multitude of factors interact and regulate each other to mediate the exquisite regulation of transcription in response to biological processes. Promoter proximal pausing of the RNA polymerase II was first discovered on the hsp70 gene, but has also been documented on estrogen stimulated genes. It is suggested that NELF functions as a control point for proper mRNA capping.
Here we describe the characterization of Drosophila Nelf-E, one of the subunits of the Negative transcription elongation factor complex. Functional analyses were performed to assess the role of Nelf-E during Drosophila development. RT-PCR on Nelf-E knock-down flies showed an up-regulation of integrin and integrin-associated proteins.
Further analyses are needed to investigate the functional implications of the NELF complex, and to authenticate the target gene of this transcription elongation repressor.