RNA Polymerase II, DNA Directed Polypeptide J (POLR2J)

POLR2J encodes a subunit of RNA polymerase II, the polymerase responsible for synthesizing messenger RNA in eukaryotes. The product of this gene exists as a heterodimer with another polymerase subunit; together they form a core subassembly unit of the polymerase. Two similar genes are located nearby on chromosome 7q22.1 and a pseudogene is found on chromosome 7p13.The predicted 117-amino acid human protein is 52% identical to yeast RPB11. Human RPB11 contains a conserved 18-amino acid region that is present in other RNA polymerase subunits and which may be involved in interactions among the subunits during assembly of the complex.