# Functional and structural studies of the transition from transcription initiation to elongation

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA · 2024 · $336,949

## Abstract

We extend our structural mechanistic studies into eukaryotic transcription to determine the
functions of the conserved and essential Mediator complex during assembly and
disassembly of the RNA polymerase II (pol II) transcription pre-initiation complex (PIC)
and in the divergent transcription that arises from pol II promoters. Building on our recent
success in developing highly efficient in vitro reconstituted transcription system, we will
leverage this system to isolate and dissect a series of PIC-Mediator complexes
representing a range of states, from initiation, to early elongation, to complexes that might
function on divergent promoters. We will address the molecular mechanisms underlying
transitions between these states through structural and biochemical means involving cryo-
EM, cross-linking and mass spectrometry (XL-MS), and multi-wavelength analytical
ultracentrifugation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10834278
- **Project number:** 5R01GM123233-08
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Kenji Murakami
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $336,949
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2017-09-15 → 2026-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10834278

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10834278, Functional and structural studies of the transition from transcription initiation to elongation (5R01GM123233-08). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10834278. Licensed CC0.

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