Research provides new insights into role of mechanical forces in gene expression

The genome inside each of our cells is modelled by tension and torsion -- due in part to the activity of proteins that compact, loop, wrap and untwist DNA -- but scientists know little about how those forces affect the transcription of genes. Transcription of a gene begins when RNAP binds to a 'promoter' DNA sequence and ends at a 'terminator' sequence where the mRNA copy is released. The canonical view of termination holds that after releasing the mRNA, RNAP dissociates from the DNA. A team of researchers has demonstrated how force plays a role in an alternative to canonical termination.