RNA Polymerase II, DNA Directed Polypeptide L (POLR2L)

POLR2L encodes a subunit of RNA polymerase II, the polymerase responsible for synthesizing messenger RNA in eukaryotes. The product of this gene contains four conserved cysteines characteristic of an atypical zinc-binding domain. Like its counterpart in yeast, this subunit may be shared by the other two DNA-directed RNA polymerases.The predicted 67-amino acid peptide is highly similar to the corresponding subunit from other species, including the yeast RPB10 gene product, and contains conserved cysteine residues that are characteristic of an atypical zinc-binding domain.Immunoprecipitation experiments showed that both POLR2L and POLR2H are stable and assemble efficiently with yeast RNA pol II. The yeast RPB8 and RPB10 genes are essential for cell growth and viability.