| Modification Notes |
RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) comprises a 12 subunit protein complex that mediates transcription. RNAP II contains a unique carboxy terminal domain (CTD), which consists of 52 repeats of the consensus heptapeptide Tyr-Ser-Pro-Thr-Ser-Pro-Ser. The RNAP II isoform with an unphosphorylated CTD associates with transcription initiation complexes, whereas the isoform with a phosphorylated CTD is involved in transcription elongation. FCP1, also designated TFIIF-associated CTD phosphatase, is a protein phosphatase dedicated to the CTD of RNAP II that mediates the recycling of RNAP II during the transcription cycle. FCP1 specifically targets phosphorylated CTD serine 2 and 5 with similar affinities. Phosphorylation of FCP1 itself is necessary for sufficient activity of the protein and its interaction with TFIIF. Upon activation, the a-helical carboxy terminus of FCP1 binds to RAP74 to form a complex. FCP1 also represses HIV-1 Tat-mediated transactivation, and, therefore, may represent a specific target for modulation of Tat activity in infected cells. |