NDF Is a Transcription Factor that Stimulates Elongation by RNA Polymerase II

RNA polymerase II (Pol II) elongation is a critical step in gene expression. Here we find that NDF, which was identified as a bilaterian nucleosome-destabilizing factor, is also a Pol II transcription factor that stimulates elongation with plain DNA templates in the absence of nucleosomes. NDF binds directly to Pol II and enhances elongation by a different mechanism than does transcription factor TFIIS. Moreover, yeast Pdp3, which is related to NDF, binds to Pol II and stimulates elongation. Thus, NDF is a Pol II-binding transcription elongation factor that is localized over gene bodies and is conserved from yeast to humans. Overall design: Bru_seq analysis of nascent transcripts in HeLa S3 (WT) and NDF CRISPR-knockout (KO) cells. Bru_seq analysis of nascent transcripts in SW480 (WT), NDF CRISPR-knockout (KO) and KO rescue cells.