Shifting RNA Polymerase into Overdrive

DNA is transcribed into RNA by a highly conserved enzyme called RNA polymerase (RNAP). Organisms have developed elaborate methods to regulate gene expression by terminating transcription early. A report from Yarnell and Roberts, discussed by Landick in his Perspective, provides valuable insights into transcription termination and a process called overdrive in which the RNAP is able to ignore the termination sequence and transcription continues. Their findings are valuable for understanding gene regulation in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes.