Definition of transcriptional pause elements in fission yeast

Polymerase pausing induced by sequence-specific RNA-binding protein drives heterochromatin assembly

In this study, Parsa et al. investigated the mechanisms underlying RNAi-independent heterochromatin assembly by the CTD–RRM protein Seb1 in S. pombe. They show that Seb1 promotes long-lived RNAPII pauses at pericentromeric repeat regions and that their presence correlates with the heterochromatin-triggering activities of the corresponding dg and dh DNA fragments, providing new insight into Seb1-mediated polymerase stalling as a signal necessary for heterochromatin nucleation.

In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, transcripts derived from the pericentromeric dg and dh repeats promote heterochromatin formation via RNAi as well as an RNAi-independent mechanism involving the RNA polymerase II (RNAPII)-associated RNA-binding protein Seb1 and RNA processing activities. We show that Seb1 promotes long-lived RNAPII pauses at pericentromeric repeat regions and that their presence correlates with the heterochromatin-triggering activities of the corresponding dg and dh DNA fragments. Globally increasing RNAPII stalling by other means induces the formation of novel large ectopic heterochromatin domains. Such ectopic heterochromatin occurs even in cells lacking RNAi. These results uncover Seb1-mediated polymerase stalling as a signal necessary for heterochromatin nucleation.

The Nrd1-like protein Seb1 coordinates cotranscriptional 3' end processing and polyadenylation site selection

Termination of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) transcription is associated with RNA 3' end formation. For coding genes, termination is initiated by the cleavage/polyadenylation machinery. In contrast, a majority of noncoding transcription events in Saccharomyces cerevisiae does not rely on RNA cleavage for termination but instead terminates via a pathway that requires the Nrd1-Nab3-Sen1 (NNS) complex. Here we show that the Schizosaccharomyces pombe ortholog of Nrd1, Seb1, does not function in NNS-like termination but promotes polyadenylation site selection of coding and noncoding genes. We found that Seb1 associates with 3' end processing factors, is enriched at the 3' end of genes, and binds RNA motifs downstream from cleavage sites. Importantly, a deficiency in Seb1 resulted in widespread changes in 3' untranslated region (UTR) length as a consequence of increased alternative polyadenylation. Given that Seb1 levels affected the recruitment of conserved 3' end processing factors, our findings indicate that the conserved RNA-binding protein Seb1 cotranscriptionally controls alternative polyadenylation.

An antisense RNA-mediated mechanism eliminates a meiosis-specific copper-regulated transcript in mitotic cells

Sense and antisense transcripts produced from convergent gene pairs could interfere with the expression of either partner gene. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe, we found that the iss1(+) gene produces two transcript isoforms, including a long antisense mRNA that is complementary to the meiotic cum1(+) sense transcript, inhibiting cum1(+) expression in vegetative cells. Inhibition of cum1(+) transcription was not at the level of its initiation because fusion of the cum1(+) promoter to the lacZ gene showed that activation of the reporter gene occurs in response to low copper conditions. Further analysis showed that the transcription factor Cuf1 and conserved copper-signaling elements (CuSEs) are required for induction of cum1(+)-lacZ transcription under copper deficiency. Insertion of a multipartite polyadenylation signal immediately downstream of iss1(+) led to the exclusive production of a shorter iss1(+) mRNA isoform, thereby allowing accumulation of cum1(+) sense mRNA in copper-limited vegetative cells. This finding suggested that the long iss1(+) antisense mRNA could pair with cum1(+) sense mRNA, thereby producing double-stranded RNA molecules that could induce RNAi. We consistently found that mutant strains for RNAi (dcr1Δ, ago1Δ, rdp1Δ, and clr4Δ) are defective in selectively eliminating cum1(+) sense transcript in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. Taken together, these results describe the first example of a copper-regulated meiotic gene repressed by an antisense transcription mechanism in vegetative cells.

Repression of meiotic genes by antisense transcription and by Fkh2 transcription factor in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

In S. pombe, about 5% of genes are meiosis-specific and accumulate little or no mRNA during vegetative growth. Here we use Affymetrix tiling arrays to characterize transcripts in vegetative and meiotic cells. In vegetative cells, many meiotic genes, especially those induced in mid-meiosis, have abundant antisense transcripts. Disruption of the antisense transcription of three of these mid-meiotic genes allowed vegetative sense transcription. These results suggest that antisense transcription represses sense transcription of meiotic genes in vegetative cells. Although the mechanism(s) of antisense mediated transcription repression need to be further explored, our data indicates that RNAi machinery is not required for repression. Previously, we and others used non-strand specific methods to study splicing regulation of meiotic genes and concluded that 28 mid-meiotic genes are spliced only in meiosis. We now demonstrate that the "unspliced" signal in vegetative cells comes from the antisense RNA, not from unspliced sense RNA, and we argue against the idea that splicing regulates these mid-meiotic genes. Most of these mid-meiotic genes are induced in mid-meiosis by the forkhead transcription factor Mei4. Interestingly, deletion of a different forkhead transcription factor, Fkh2, allows low levels of sense expression of some mid-meiotic genes in vegetative cells. We propose that vegetative expression of mid-meiotic genes is repressed at least two independent ways: antisense transcription and Fkh2 repression.

Autoregulation of convergent RNAi genes in fission yeast

RNAi plays a central role in the regulation of eukaryotic genes. In Schizosaccharomyces pombe fission yeast, RNAi involves the formation of siRNA from dsRNA that acts to establish and maintain heterochromatin over centromeres, telomeres, and mating loci. We showed previously that transient heterochromatin also forms over S. pombe convergent genes (CGs). Remarkably, most RNAi genes are themselves convergent. We demonstrate here that transient heterochromatin formed by the RNAi pathway over RNAi CGs leads to their autoregulation in G1-S. Furthermore, the switching of RNAi gene orientation from convergent to tandem causes loss of their G1-S down-regulation. Surprisingly, yeast mutants with tandemized dcr1, ago1, or clr4 genes display aberrant centromeric heterochromatin, which results in abnormal cell morphology. Our results emphasize the significance of gene orientation for correct RNAi gene expression, and suggest a role for cell cycle-dependent formation of RNAi CG heterochromatin in cellular integrity.

Torpedo nuclease Rat1 is insufficient to terminate RNA polymerase II in vitro

Termination of RNA polymerase (pol) II transcription in vivo requires the 5'-RNA exonuclease Rat1. It was proposed that Rat1 degrades RNA from the 5'-end that is created by transcript cleavage, catches up with elongating pol II, and acts like a Torpedo that removes pol II from DNA. Here we test the Torpedo model in an in vitro system based on bead-coupled pol II elongation complexes (ECs). Recombinant Rat1 complexes with Rai1, and with Rai1 and Rtt103, degrade RNA extending from the EC until they reach the polymerase surface but fail to terminate pol II. Instead, the EC retains an approximately 18-nucleotide RNA that remains with its 3'-end at the active site and can be elongated. Thus, pol II termination apparently requires a factor or several factors in addition to Rat1, Rai1, and Rtt103, post-translational modifications of these factors, or unusual reaction conditions.

A complex gene regulatory mechanism that operates at the nexus of multiple RNA processing decisions

Expression of crs1 pre-mRNA, encoding a meiotic cyclin, is blocked in actively growing fission yeast cells by a multifaceted mechanism. The most striking feature is that crs1 transcripts are continuously synthesized in vegetative cells, but are targeted for degradation rather than splicing and polyadenylation. Turnover of crs1 RNA requires the exosome, similar to previously described nuclear surveillance and silencing mechanisms, but does not involve a non-canonical poly(A) polymerase. Instead, crs1 transcripts are targeted for destruction by a factor previously implicated in turnover of meiotic RNAs in growing cells. Like exosome mutants, mmi1 mutants splice and polyadenylate vegetative crs1 transcripts. Two regulatory elements are located at the 3′ end of the crs1 gene, consistent with the increased accumulation of spliced RNA in polyadenylation factor mutants. This highly integrated regulatory strategy may ensure a rapid response to adverse conditions, thereby guaranteeing survival.

Cohesin complex promotes transcriptional termination between convergent genes in S. pombe

Transcription analyses reported in these studies reveal that convergent genes in S. pombe generate overlapping transcripts in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. We show that this double-strand (ds) RNA induces localized RNAi (Dicer and RITS) dependent transient heterochromatin structures including histone H3 lysine 9 trimethylation marks and Swi6 association. Consequently cohesin is recruited to these chromosomal positions through interaction with Swi6. In G2, localized cohesin is further concentrated into the intergenic regions of the convergent genes tested. This results in a block to further dsRNA formation by promoting gene-proximal transcription termination between the convergent genes. Cohesin release at mitosis leads to a new G1 phase with repeated dsRNA formation, transient heterochromatin, and cohesin recruitment. Our results uncover a hitherto unanticipated role for cohesin and further suggest a widespread role for the selective formation of dsRNA, heterochromatin, and subsequent cohesin recruitment in regulated transcriptional termination.

Strong polyadenylation and weak pausing combine to cause efficient termination of transcription in the human Ggamma-globin gene

The human gamma-globin genes form part of a 5-kb tandem duplication within the beta-globin gene cluster on chromosome 11. Despite a high degree of identity between the two genes, we show that while the upstream Ggamma-globin gene terminates transcription efficiently, termination in the Agamma gene is inefficient. This is primarily due to the different strengths of the polyA signals of the two genes; Ggamma-globin has a functionally stronger polyA signal than the Agamma gene. The probable cause of this difference in polyA efficiency characteristics lies with a number of base changes which reduce the G/U content of the GU/U-rich region of the Agamma polyA signal relative to that of Ggamma. The 3' flanking regions of the two gamma-globin genes have similar abilities to promote transcription termination. We found no evidence to suggest a cotranscriptional cleavage event, such as that seen in the human beta-globin gene, occurs in either gamma-globin 3' flank. Instead we find evidence that the 3' flank of the Ggamma-globin gene contains multiple weak pause elements which, combined with the strong polyA signal the gene possesses, are likely to cause gradual termination across the 3' flank.

Modulation of transcription affects mRNP quality

Cotranscriptional loading of proteins onto nascent transcripts contributes to the formation of messenger ribonucleoprotein particles (mRNPs) competent for nuclear export. The transcription machinery is believed to play a pivotal role in mRNP assembly, which is at least partially linked to the function of the THO/TREX complex and the mRNA termination/polyadenylation apparatus. Here we demonstrate a prominent role for the rate of transcription in the production of export-competent mRNPs. We show that a transcription-defective allele of the Rad3p helicase, a component of the TFIIH transcription initiation factor, suppresses several phenotypes associated with defective mRNA processing and export. Strikingly, the effects of compromised Rad3p activity can be phenocopied by a transcription elongation drug as well as by other mutations affecting transcription. Our results suggest that efficient mRNP assembly is under a kinetic control that is influenced by the rate of transcription.

In vivo evidence that defects in the transcriptional elongation factors RPB2, TFIIS, and SPT5 enhance upstream poly(A) site utilization

While a number of proteins are involved in elongation processes, the mechanism for action of most of these factors remains unclear primarily because of the lack of suitable in vivo model systems. We identified in yeast several genes that contain internal poly(A) sites whose full-length mRNA formation is reduced by mutations in RNA polymerase II subunit RPB2, elongation factor SPT5, or TFIIS. RPB2 and SPT5 defects also promoted the utilization of upstream poly(A) sites for genes that contain multiple 3' poly(A) signaling sequences, supporting a role for elongation in differential poly(A) site choice. Our data suggest that elongation defects cause increased transcriptional pausing or arrest that results in increased utilization of internal or upstream poly(A) sites. Transcriptional pausing or arrest can therefore be visualized in vivo if a gene contains internal poly(A) sites, allowing biochemical and genetic study of the elongation process.

Downstream DNA sequence effects on transcription elongation. Allosteric binding of nucleoside triphosphates facilitates translocation via a ratchet motion

The ability of RNA polymerase (RNAP) to adopt multiple conformations is central to transcriptional regulation. In previous work, we demonstrated that RNAP can exist in an unactivated state that catalyzes synthesis slowly and an activated state that catalyzes synthesis rapidly, with the transition from the unactivated to the activated state being induced by the templated NTP binding to an allosteric site on the RNAP. In this work, we investigate the effects of downstream DNA sequences on the kinetics of single nucleotide incorporation. We demonstrate that changing the identity of the DNA base 1 bp downstream (+2) from the site of incorporation (+1) can regulate the catalytic activity of RNAP. Combining these data with sequence and structural analyses and molecular modeling, we identify the streptolydigin-binding region (Escherichia coli beta residues 543-546), which lies across from the downstream DNA, as the putative allosteric NTP binding site. We present a structural model in which the NTP binds to the streptolydigin loop and upon pairing with the +1 DNA base in the unactivated state or the +2 DNA base in the activated state facilitates translocation via a ratchet motion. This model provides an alternative mechanism for pausing as well as a structural explanation not only for our kinetic data but also for data from elongation studies on yeast RNAP II.

A role for chromatin remodeling in transcriptional termination by RNA polymerase II

Chromatin remodeling can facilitate the recruitment of RNA polymerase II (Pol II) to targeted promoters, as well as enhancing the level of transcription. Here, we describe a further key role for chromatin remodeling in transcriptional termination. Using a genetic screen in S. pombe, we identified the CHD-Mi2 class chromatin remodeling ATPase, Hrp1, as a termination factor. In S. cerevisiae, we show that transcriptional termination and chromatin structure at the 3' ends of three genes all depend on the activity of the Hrp1 homolog, Chd1p, either alone or redundantly with the ISWI ATPases, Isw1p, and Isw2p. We suggest that chromatin remodeling of termination regions is a necessary prelude to efficient Pol II termination.

In vitro activity of the baculovirus late expression factor LEF-5

The baculovirus late expression factor LEF-5 has a zinc ribbon that is homologous to a domain in the eukaryotic transcription elongation factor SII. To determine whether LEF-5 is an elongation factor, we purified it from a bacterial overexpression system and added it to purified baculovirus RNA polymerase. LEF-5 increased transcription from both late and very late viral promoters. Two acidic residues within the zinc ribbon were essential for stimulation. Unlike SII, however, LEF-5 did not appear to enable RNA polymerase to escape from intrinsic pause sites. Furthermore, LEF-5 did not increase transcription in the presence of small DNA-binding ligands that inhibit elongation in other systems or viral DNA-binding proteins which inhibit the baculovirus RNA polymerase. Exonuclease activity assays revealed that baculovirus RNA polymerase has an intrinsic exonuclease activity, but this was not increased by the addition of LEF-5. Initiation assays and elongation assays using heparin to prevent reinitiation indicated that LEF-5 was active only in the absence of heparin. Taken together, these results suggest that LEF-5 functions as an initiation factor and not as an elongation factor.

An RNA polymerase pause site is associated with the immunoglobulin mus poly(A) site

Immunoglobulin mu alternative RNA processing is regulated during B-cell maturation and requires balanced efficiencies of the competing splice (mum) and cleavage-polyadenylation (mus) reactions. When we deleted sequences 50 to 200 nucleotides beyond the mus poly(A) site, the mus/mum mRNA ratio decreased three- to eightfold in B, plasma, and nonlymphoid cells. The activity could not be localized to a smaller fragment but did function in heterologous contexts. Our data suggest that this region contains an RNA polymerase II pause site that enhances the use of the mus poly(A) site. First, known pause sites replaced the activity of the deleted fragment. Second, the mu fragment, when placed between tandem poly(A) sites, enhanced the use of the upstream poly(A) site. Finally, nuclear run-ons detected an increase in RNA polymerase loading just downstream from the mus poly(A) site, even when the poly(A) site was inactivated. When this mu fragment and another pause site were inserted 1 kb downstream from the mus poly(A) site, they no longer affected the mRNA expression ratio, suggesting that pause sites affect poly(A) site use over a limited distance. Fragments from the immunoglobulin A gene were also found to have RNA polymerase pause site activity.

Premature termination of RNA polymerase II mediated transcription of a seed protein gene in Schizosaccharomyces pombe

The poly(A) signal and downstream elements with transcriptional pausing activity play an important role in termination of RNA polymerase II transcription. We show that an intronic sequence derived from the plant seed protein gene (AmA1) specifically acts as a transcriptional terminator in the fission yeast, Schizosaccharomyces pombe. The 3'-end points of mRNA encoded by the AmA1 gene were mapped at different positions in S.pombe and in native cells of Amaranthus hypochondriacus. Deletion analyses of the AmA1 intronic sequence revealed that multiple elements essential for proper transcriptional termination in S.pombe include two site-determining elements (SDEs) and three downstream sequence elements. RT-PCR analyses detected transcripts up to the second SDE. This is the first report showing that the highly conserved mammalian poly(A) signal, AAUAAA, is also functional in S.pombe. The poly(A) site was determined as Y(A) both in native and heterologous systems but at different positions. Deletion of these cis-elements abolished 3'-end processing in S.pombe and a single point mutation in this motif reduced the activity by 70% while enhancing activity at downstream SDE. These results indicate that the bipartite sequence elements as signals for 3'-end processing in fission yeast act in tandem with other cis-acting elements. A comparison of these elements in the AmA1 intron that function as a transcriptional terminator in fission yeast with that of its native genes showed that both require an AT-rich distal and proximal upstream element. However, these sequences are not identical. Transcription run-on analysis indicates that elongating RNA polymerase II molecules accumulate over these pause signals, maximal at 611-949 nt. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the AmA1 intronic terminator sequence acts in a position-independent manner when placed within another gene.

Glucose-inducible expression of rrg1+ in Schizosaccharomyces pombe: post-transcriptional regulation of mRNA stability mediated by the downstream region of the poly(A) site

rrg1+(rapid response to glucose) has been isolated previously as a UV-inducible gene in Schizosaccharomyces pombe, designated as uvi22+. However, it was revealed that the transcript level of this gene was regulated by glucose, not by DNA-damaging agents. Glucose depletion led to a rapid decrease in the level of rrg1+ mRNA, by approximately 50% within 30 min. This effect was readily reversed upon re-introduction of glucose within 1 h. High concentrations (4 and 8%) of glucose showed similar effects on increasing the rrg1+ mRNA level compared with 2% glucose, while a low concentration (0.1%) was not effective in raising the rrg1+ mRNA level. In addition, sucrose and fructose could increase rrg1+ mRNA level. Interestingly, the rapid decline in mRNA level seen upon glucose deprivation resulted from precipitous reduction of mRNA half-life. Serial and internal deletions within the 3'-flanking region of rrg1+ revealed that a 210-nt region downstream of the distal poly(A) site was critical for glucose-regulated expression. Moreover, this downstream region participated in 3'-end formation of mRNA. Taken together, this is the first report on glucose-inducible expression regulated post-transcriptionally by control of mRNA stability in S.pombe.

Integrating mRNA processing with transcription

The messenger RNA processing reactions of capping, splicing, and polyadenylation occur cotranscriptionally. They not only influence one another's efficiency and specificity, but are also coordinated by transcription. The phosphorylated CTD of RNA polymerase II provides key molecular contacts with these mRNA processing reactions throughout transcriptional elongation and termination.

A potential role for mini-chromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins in initiation at the dihydrofolate reductase replication origin

Mini-chromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins were originally identified in yeast, and homologues have been identified in several other eukaryotic organisms, including mammals. These findings suggest that the mechanisms by which eukaryotic cells initiate and regulate DNA replication have been conserved throughout evolution. However, it is clear that many mammalian origins are much more complex than those of yeast. An example is the Chinese hamster dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) origin, which resides in the spacer between the DHFR and 2BE2121 genes. This origin consists of a broad zone of potential sites scattered throughout the 55-kb spacer, with several subregions (e.g. ori-beta, ori-beta', and ori-gamma) being preferred. We show here that antibodies to human MCMs 2-7 recognize counterparts in extracts prepared from hamster cells; furthermore, co-immunoprecipitation data demonstrate the presence of an MCM2-3-5 subcomplex as observed in other species. To determine whether MCM proteins play a role in initiation and/or elongation in Chinese hamster cells, we have examined in vivo protein-DNA interactions between the MCMs and chromatin in the DHFR locus using a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) approach. In synchronized cultures, MCM complexes associate preferentially with DNA in the intergenic initiation zone early in S-phase during the time that replication initiates. However, significant amounts of MCMs were also detected over the two genes, in agreement with recent observations that the MCM complex co-purifies with RNA polymerase II. As cells progress through S-phase, the MCMs redistribute throughout the DHFR domain, suggesting a dynamic interaction with DNA. In asynchronous cultures, in which replication forks should be found at any position in the genome, MCM proteins were distributed relatively evenly throughout the DHFR locus. Altogether, these data are consistent with studies in yeast showing that MCM subunits localize to origins during initiation and then migrate outward with the replication forks. This constitutes the first evidence that mammalian MCM complexes perform a critical role during the initiation and elongation phases of replication at the DHFR origin in hamster cells.

Degeneracy and complexity in biological systems

Degeneracy, the ability of elements that are structurally different to perform the same function or yield the same output, is a well known characteristic of the genetic code and immune systems. Here, we point out that degeneracy is a ubiquitous biological property and argue that it is a feature of complexity at genetic, cellular, system, and population levels. Furthermore, it is both necessary for, and an inevitable outcome of, natural selection.

Mechanism of poly(A) signal transduction to RNA polymerase II in vitro

Termination of transcription by RNA polymerase II usually requires the presence of a functional poly(A) site. How the poly(A) site signals its presence to the polymerase is unknown. All models assume that the signal is generated after the poly(A) site has been extruded from the polymerase, but this has never been tested experimentally. It is also widely accepted that a "pause" element in the DNA stops the polymerase and that cleavage at the poly(A) site then signals termination. These ideas also have never been tested. The lack of any direct tests of the poly(A) signaling mechanism reflects a lack of success in reproducing the poly(A) signaling phenomenon in vitro. Here we describe a cell-free transcription elongation assay that faithfully recapitulates poly(A) signaling in a crude nuclear extract. The assay requires the use of citrate, an inhibitor of RNA polymerase II carboxyl-terminal domain phosphorylation. Using this assay we show the following. (i) Wild-type but not mutant poly(A) signals instruct the polymerase to stop transcription on downstream DNA in a manner that parallels true transcription termination in vivo. (ii) Transcription stops without the need of downstream elements in the DNA. (iii) cis-antisense inhibition blocks signal transduction, indicating that the signal to stop transcription is generated following extrusion of the poly(A) site from the polymerase. (iv) Signaling can be uncoupled from processing, demonstrating that signaling does not require cleavage at the poly(A) site.

Transcriptional termination factors for RNA polymerase II in yeast

The molecular connections between mRNA 3' end processing and transcriptional termination have been investigated in S. pombe using a genetic screen. By this approach, we have identified a RNAP II termination domain in the well-defined cleavage polyadenylation factor called CstF-64 in metazoans and Rna15p in S. cerevisiae. Furthermore, this C-terminal domain interacts with Res2, previously identified as a component of the G1/S transition-specific transcription factor MBF. Deletion of res2 in both fission and budding yeast results in a defect in 3' end formation. This raises the possibility that RNAP II transcriptional termination may in some situations be integrated with cell cycle events.

The stress-activated MAP kinase Sty1/Spc1 and a 3'-regulatory element mediate UV-induced expression of the uvi15(+) gene at the post-transcriptional level

Exposure of Schizosaccharomyces pombe cells to UV light results in increased uvi15(+) gene expression at both the mRNA and protein levels, leading to elevated cell survival. This UV-induced expression of the uvi15(+) gene was reduced in Deltasty1 and Deltawis1 cells lacking the stress-activated protein kinase pathway, but not in DNA damage checkpoint mutants. To further understand the cellular mechanisms responsible for this UV-induced expression, the transcription rate and mRNA half-life were investigated. Transcription run-on assays revealed that the rate of uvi15(+) transcription was increased 1.8-fold regardless of Sty1 when cells were UV irradiated. The half-life of uvi15(+) mRNA was also increased 1.5-fold after UV irradiation, but it was decreased in the Deltasty1 background for both basal and UV-induced mRNAs, indicating that the stress-activated MAPK cascade can mediate UV-induced gene expression by increasing mRNA half-life. Deletion analyses identified a 54 nt element downstream of the distal poly(A) site, which was involved in the increased half-life of uvi15(+) mRNA. These results suggest that both Sty1 and the 3'-regulatory element regulate UV-induced expression of the uvi15(+) gene at the post-transcriptional level.

Transcriptional termination and coupled polyadenylation in vitro

Using a coupled, in vitro transcription and polyadenylation system we have investigated the molecular mechanism of transcriptional termination by RNA polymerase II (PolII). We showed previously that specific G-rich sequences pause transcription and then activate polyadenylation. We show that physiological pause sites activate polyadenylation in our in vitro system. We also investigate the mechanism of PolII transcriptional termination, and show that these transcripts are either directly released from the transcription complex or are 3' end processed while still attached to the complex. We also show that 3' product (generated by cleavage/polyadenylation) remains associated with the transcription complex, but is rapidly degraded on it.