Disengaging polymerase: Terminating RNA polymerase II transcription in budding yeast

► Pol II transcription termination and 3′ end processing are different processes. ► Termination and 3′ end processing are intimately connected and influence each other. ► Pol II transcription termination employs two non-mutually exclusive pathways. ► Many cues transmitted to Pol II influence its choice of termination pathway. ► Termination choice is affected by external stimuli, which controls gene expression.