Transcription termination is crucial for the release of RNA polymerases from their transcripts. Defective termination can lead to interference with transcription of downstream genes and also depletes the pool of available RNA polymerases, ultimately preventing reinitiation and new transcription.  RNA polymerase I is dedicated to synthesis of ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Transcription termination is mediated by a ‘torpedo’ mechanism; co-transcriptional RNA cleavage by Rnt1 at the ribosomal DNA 3’-region generates a 5’-end that is recognized by the 5’-3’ exonuclease Rat1, which degrades the downstream transcript and eventually causes termination. In this study, we identify Grc3, a novel RNA/DNA kinase, as new factor involved in the torpedo mechanism of transcription termination.
 

> link to article on EMBO reports