#Id: 6497
#Unit 3. Fundamental Processes
On a linear template, ATP hydrolysis, TFIIE, and the helicase activity of TFIIH (provided by the XPB and XPD subunits) are required for polymerase movement. This requirement is bypassed with a supercoiled template. This suggests that TFIIE and TFIIH are required to melt DNA to allow polymerase movement to begin. To extend elongation into the transcription unit, a kinase complex called P-TEFb is required. P-TEFb contains the CDK9
kinase, which is a member of the kinase family that controls the cell cycle. P-TEFb acts on the CTD to phosphorylate it further on serine 2 of the heptapeptide repeat.
