The RNA polymerase I specific transcription initiation factor Rrn11 is a member of a multiprotein complex essential for the initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase I, together with Rrn6 and Rrn7 subunits [1,2,3]. Binding to the DNA template is dependent on the initial binding of other factors [1]. Rrn11 contains a tetratricopeptide repeats (TPRs) and interacts with Rrn6 and Rrn7 to form the core factor (CF), which which resembles a right hand holding the DNA molecule between the fingers and the palm. The palm is composed of the N-terminal regions of both Rrn11 and Rrn6, the thumb is composed of the C-terminal of Rrn11, and the fingers and knuckles are composed of Rrn7 and the C-terminal half of Rrn6, respectively [3].

1: Characterization of a fission yeast subunit of an RNA polymerase I essential transcription initiation factor, SpRrn7h/TAF(I)68, that bridges yeast and mammals: association with SpRrn11h and the core ribosomal RNA gene promoter. Boukhgalter B, Liu M, Guo A, Tripp M, Tran K, Huynh C, Pape L; Gene 2002;291:187-201. PMID:12095692

2: Structural Basis of RNA Polymerase I Transcription Initiation. Engel C, Gubbey T, Neyer S, Sainsbury S, Oberthuer C, Baejen C, Bernecky C, Cramer P; Cell. 2017;169:120-131. PMID:28340337

3: Structural mechanism of ATP-independent transcription initiation by RNA polymerase I. Han Y, Yan C, Nguyen THD, Jackobel AJ, Ivanov I, Knutson BA, He Y; Elife. 2017; [Epub ahead of print] PMID:28623663