The Lesser Known World of RNA Polymerases

Transcription by RNA polymerases is a well-known process in many organisms, mainly at the level of transcription initiation, elongation and termination. Transcriptional process has been well studied in the case of the eukaryotic RNA polymerase II that synthesizes all mRNAs, and also for the bacterial RNA polymerase. However, many aspects of RNA polymerases, including their biogenesis, function, and even their impact in different cellular processes or in health, are still unknown. Moreover it is interesting to delve deeper into knowledge of less-investigated RNA polymerases (such as those from plants or from cellular organelles), to unravel also how these enzymes mediate transcription process and how they impact cellular RNA content and gene expression.

The aim of this Research Topic is to cover promising, recent, and novel research trends about the 'lesser known world of RNA polymerases', such as the biogenesis of the RNA polymerases, RNA polymerases from organelles and viruses, RNA polymerases from plants, RNA polymerases and diseases, and other less known functions of RNA polymerase II.

We welcome submissions in the form of the following article types: brief research report, mini review, original research, and review.

Areas to be covered in this Research Topic may include (but are not limited to):

• Biogenesis of RNA polymerases:
a) Biogenesis of mammalian RNA polymerases
b) Biogenesis of yeast RNA polymerases
c) RNA polymerases, from biogenesis to transcription

• RNA polymerases from organelles and virus:
a) Mitochondrial RNA polymerases
b) Chloroplast RNA polymerases
c) Viral RNA polymerases

• RNA polymerases from plants:
a) Plant RNA polymerases
b) RNA polymerases common subunits in plants

• RNA polymerases and diseases:
a) RNA polymerase III: tRNAs transcription and cancer
b) RNA polymerase I as a target to control cancer cell growth
c) RNA pol II and diseases
d) Other RNA polymerases and diseases

• Other lesser known aspects of RNA polymerases