A detailed picture of what happens when DNA transcription is paused early in the process has been obtained by structural biologists at RIKEN. This could inform the development of new therapies.

With transcription interrupted, gene expression is also interrupted. As a result, many cellular pathways begin to go haywire; they are deprived of the proteins they need for problem-free functioning.

By clarifying how the DNA sequence affects transcription accuracy, the study offers a new perspective on its fidelity, suggesting that errors are not in random locations but are instead influenced ...