RNA Targets Ribogenesis Factor WDR43 to Chromatin for Transcription and Pluripotency Control (Molecular Cell)

Bi et al. report that promoter-associated noncoding/nascent RNAs recruit the RNA-binding protein WDR43 to gene promoters, at which WDR43 facilitates Pol II release and transcription elongation likely through a phase-transition mechanism. This work also reveals an unforeseen role of an RBP in coordinating high levels of transcription and ribosome biogenesis for pluripotency regulation.