Subunit specialization in AAA+ proteins and substrate unfolding during transcription complex remodeling.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) is a multisubunit enzyme that copies DNA into RNA in a process known as transcription. Bacteria use σ factors to recruit RNAP to promoter regions of genes that need to be transcribed, with 60% bacteria containing at least one specialized σ factor, σ⁵⁴. σ⁵⁴ recruits RNAP to promoters of genes associated with stress responses and forms a stable closed complex that does not spontaneously isomerize to the open state where promoter DNA is melted out and competent for transcription. The σ⁵⁴-mediated open complex formation requires specific AAA+ proteins (ATPases Associated with diverse cellular Activities) known as bacterial enhancer-binding proteins (bEBPs). We have now obtained structures of new intermediate

SUBMITTER: Gao F 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12054792 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature