RNA-POLYMERASE - STRUCTURAL DETERMINANT OF THE CHROMATIN LOOP AND THE CHROMOSOME

Current models for RNA synthesis involve an RNA polymerase that tracks along a static template. However, research on chromatin loops suggests that the template slides past a stationary polymerase; individual polymerases tie the chromatin fibre into loops and dusters of polymerases determine the basic structure of the interphase and metaphase chromosome. RNA polymerase is then both a player and a manager of the chromosome loop.