Steady-state distributions of nascent RNA for general initiation mechanisms

Fluctuations in the number of nascent RNA accurately reflect transcriptional activity. However, mathematical models predicting their distributions are difficult to solve analytically due to their non-Markovian nature stemming from transcriptional elongation. Here we circumvent this problem by deriving an exact relationship between the steady-state distribution of nascent RNA and the distribution of initiation times, which can be computed for any general initiation mechanism described by a set of first-order reactions. We test our theory using simulations and live cell imaging data.

Automated summary

This study provides a mathematical model to accurately predict the distribution of nascent RNA based on transcriptional activity. The model takes into account the non-Markovian nature of transcriptional elongation, which is difficult to solve analytically. The model is validated through simulations and live cell imaging data.