RNA degradation by DIS3 is a necessary step in the resolution of backtracked transcription complexes.

DIS3's 3'-5' exoribonucleolytic activity is essential for resolving backtracked transcription complexes in Homo sapiens, facilitating efficient RNA polymerase II elongation.

• Why it matters: Understanding how transcription complexes are resolved is crucial for insights into gene regulation and DNA damage response, yet the specific role of RNA exosome components like DIS3 has been unclear.
• What they did: The study involved rapid DIS3 depletion and RNA sequencing, revealing that its exonuclease activity degrades backtracked RNA, especially after UV-induced DNA damage, aligning DIS3 with transcription machinery dynamics.
• The result: Disabling DIS3's exonuclease activity impairs transcription elongation by preventing the clearance of backtracked RNA, highlighting its vital role in maintaining transcription fidelity and genome stability.