Emerging role for transcript elongation in plant development

Transcript elongation by RNA polymerase II (RNAPII), once regarded as the simple extension of the initiated mRNA, is a complex and highly regulated phase of the transcription cycle. Many factors have been identified that contribute to the dynamic control of the elongation stage of transcription. There are elongation factors that modulate the activity of RNAPII and other factors that facilitate the transcription through chromatin. Recent studies of mutants defective in elongation factors have revealed the importance of proper transcript elongation for the development of higher eukaryotes. Here, the essentials of transcript elongation are briefly summarized to discuss its role in developmental processes.