POLR2B

Catalytic core component of RNA polymerase II (Pol II), a DNA-dependent RNA polymerase which synthesizes mRNA precursors and many functional non-coding RNAs using the four ribonucleoside triphosphates as substrates (By similarity). Pol II-mediated transcription cycle proceeds through transcription initiation, transcription elongation and transcription termination stages. During transcription initiation, Pol II pre-initiation complex (PIC) is recruited to DNA promoters, with focused-type promoters containing either the initiator (Inr) element, or the TATA-box found in cell-type specific genes and dispersed-type promoters that often contain hypomethylated CpG islands usually found in housekeeping genes. Once the polymerase has escaped from the promoter it enters the elongation phase during which RNA is actively polymerized, based on complementarity with the template DNA strand. Transcription termination involves the release of the RNA transcript and polymerase from the DNA. Forms Pol II active center together with the largest subunit POLR2A/RPB1. Appends one nucleotide at a time to the 3' end of the nascent RNA, with POLR2A/RPB1 most likely contributing a Mg(2+)-coordinating DxDGD motif and POLR2B/RPB2 participating in the coordination of a second Mg(2+) ion and providing lysine residues believed to facilitate Watson-Crick base pairing between the incoming nucleotide and template base. Typically, Mg(2+) ions direct a 5' nucleoside triphosphate to form a phosphodiester bond with the 3' hydroxyl of the preceding nucleotide of the nascent RNA, with the elimination of pyrophosphate. The reversible pyrophosphorolysis can occur at high pyrophosphate concentrations (By similarity). Can proofread the nascent RNA transcript by means of a 3' -> 5' exonuclease activity. If a ribonucleotide is mis-incorporated, backtracks along the template DNA and cleaves the phosphodiester bond releasing the mis-incorporated 5'-ribonucleotide (By similarity)..

Function from UniProtKB (P30876), read 2026-09-23. CC BY 4.0.