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Abstract:
In addition to its role in DNA-dependent transcription,
RNA polymerase II (Pol II) possesses RNA-dependent
RNA polymerase (RdRP) activity (Lehmann et al, 2007).
In a study published in this issue of The EMBO Journal,
Wagner et al (2013) report the first native cellular
function of the RdRP activity of Pol II. The authors
find that a mammalian non-coding RNA (ncRNA) can
serve as a template for its own extension by Pol II,
resulting in its destabilization and a decrease in its
potency to repress Pol II.