Rpa43 and its partners in the yeast RNA polymerase I transcription complex

► RNA polymerase I (RNAPI) is one of three universally conserved transcription enzymes of eukaryotes. ► Its essential and conserved Rpa43 subunit was previously reported to act in transcript initiation. ► Large hydrophilic motifs of Rpa43 interact with subunits acting in RNA elongation (Rpa12, Rpa49). ► Rpa43 binds the elongation factor Spt5 and the histone chaperone Spt6 in 2-hybrid assay tests. ► Rpa43 may thus have a dual role in transcript initiation and promoter escape.