Mutual relationships between transcription and pre-mRNA processing in the synthesis of mRNA

The generation of messenger RNA (mRNA) in eukaryotes is achieved by transcription from the DNA template and pre‐mRNA processing reactions of capping, splicing, and polyadenylation. Although RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) catalyzes the synthesis of pre‐mRNA, it also serves as a principal coordinator of the processing reactions in the course of transcription. In this review, we focus on the interplay between transcription and cotranscriptional pre‐mRNA maturation events, mediated by the recruitment of RNA processing factors to differentially phosphorylated C‐terminal domain of Rbp1, the largest subunit of RNAPII. Furthermore, we highlight the bidirectional nature of the interplay by discussing the impact of RNAPII kinetics on pre‐mRNA processing as well as how the processing events reach back to different phases of gene transcription. WIREs RNA 2013, 4:139–154. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1148 This article is categorized under: RNA Processing > Capping and 5' End Modifications RNA Processing > Splicing Regulation/Alternative Splicing RNA Processing > 3' End Processing