Figure 3.
mRNA stability and Pol II transcription are linked processes, but may be differentially controlled during homeostasis or upon cellular threats. To maintain homeostatic mRNA levels and buffer against global mRNA abundance changes, eukaryotic cells modulate Pol II transcription or mRNA stability in a compensatory manner. However, during infection with mRNA decay-inducing viruses, the loss of mRNA is exacerbated by reduced Pol II transcription, perhaps as a component of a stress or antiviral response.