Live-cell imaging reveals the spatiotemporal organization of endogenous RNA polymerase II phosphorylation at a single gene

Abstract

During transcription, RNA polymerase II (RNAP2) is recruited to promoters and phosphorylated stepwise; so far, these steps have not been visualized in a single-copy gene in live cells. Here the authors use single-molecule microscopy to visualize endogenous phosphorylated RNAP2 and nascent mRNA synthesis at a single locus in living cells.