We are proud to congratulate Franz Herzog and Benjamin Neuditschko of the Institute Krems Bioanalytics on their co-authorship of a recently published study in Nature Communications. The publication, “Structure of Cytoplasmic RNA Polymerase II”, provides important new insights into the assembly of RNA Polymerase II (Pol II), a molecular machine essential for gene expression in human cells.
The study was conducted by the group of Carrie Bernecky at the IST Austria together with researchers at the IMP Vienna, and the IMC University of Applied Sciences Krems. The team investigated the final stages of RNA Polymerase II biogenesis, shedding light on a process that has remained poorly understood despite the enzyme’s central role in cellular function.
Advancing Our Understanding of a Fundamental Cellular Process
RNA Polymerase II is responsible for transcribing protein-coding genes and is therefore indispensable for cellular activity. Before it can carry out this function, the enzyme must first be assembled in the cytoplasm and transported into the nucleus. While transcription by Pol II has been extensively studied, much less has been known about how the enzyme itself is assembled.
Using an integrative structural biology approach, including cryo-electron microscopy and chemical crosslinking combined with mass spectrometry, the researchers captured a native human Pol II complex during the final stages of its assembly. This enabled the team to visualise how several critical assembly factors interact with the enzyme and guide its maturation before it becomes fully functional.
New Structural Insights
The study revealed how the assembly factors Gdown1, RPAP2, GPN1, and GPN3 associate with RNA Polymerase II and help prevent premature interactions with the transcription machinery. The findings further uncovered a GTP-dependent regulatory mechanism that controls the association of important biogenesis factors during the assembly process.
Together, these results provide a detailed molecular view of the final stages of RNA Polymerase II biogenesis and reveal mechanisms that ensure the proper assembly of one of the cell’s most important molecular machines. The work also suggests broader principles that may apply to related cellular assembly pathways.
Contribution from Institute Krems Bioanalytics
The authorship of Franz Herzog and Benjamin Neuditschko underscores the scientific expertise of Institute Krems Bioanalytics in the fields of molecular and structural biology. Their involvement in this publication highlights the institute’s commitment to contributing to high-quality research that advances our understanding of fundamental biological processes.
Studies such as this demonstrate how advanced analytical and structural biology approaches can help address complex biological questions at the molecular level. They also reflect the strong research environment at Institute Krems Bioanalytics and the institute’s role in supporting scientific innovation through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Publication
Hlavata, A., Neuditschko, B., Schellhaas, U., Plaschka, C., Herzog, F. & Bernecky, C. (2026). Structure of cytoplasmic RNA polymerase II. Nature Communications. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-75416-8