Y. Jessie Zhang

The transcription process in eukaryotic cells is controlled by the C-terminal domain of RNA polymerase II through its post-translational modification states. However enzymes that recognize the same phosphorylation site in CTD can lead to different transcriptional outcomes. To address the central question that how gene-specific regulation was achieved by CTD regulatory enzymes, the Zhang Lab investigates the structure function mechanism of CTD phosphatases. Specifically, a protein regulation prolyl isomerization state of the CTD proline residues can affect the transcription by controlling the availability of the substrate pools for the phosphatases. Members also develop chemical compounds as tools to understand the proline isomerization state specificity of CTD binding enzymes and chemical probes to promote neuron regeneration.