Transcription initiated by RNA polymerase II and purified transcription factors from liver. Cooperative action of transcription factors τ and ε in initial complex formation

Synthesis of accurately initiated transcripts has been reconstituted with RNA polymerase II and a set of five transcription factors purified from rat liver. In addition to three previously identified factors, α, βγ, and δ (Conaway, R.C., and Conaway, J.W. (1989) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 86, 7356-7360), transcription in the reconstituted liver system requires two novel factors designated τ and ε. These five transcription factors comprise two functional classes: (i) promoter recognition factors (τ and ε), which inteact with template DNA to facilitate formation of a stable initial complex that is subsequently recognized and bound by DNA polymerase II, and (ii) RNA chain initiation factors (α, βγ, and δ), which do not participate in formation of the initial complex, but which are essential for transcription initiation.