DNA binding of an RNA helicase bacterial transcription terminator.

ABSTRACT: The bacterial transcription terminator Rho is a hexameric ATP-dependent RNA helicase that dislodges elongating RNA polymerases. It has an N-terminal primary RNA binding site (PBS) on each subunit and a C-terminal secondary RNA binding site at the central channel. Here, we show that Rho also binds to linear longer double-stranded DNAs (dsDNAs) and the circular plasmids nonspecifically using its PBS. However, this interaction could be competed efficiently by single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), dC34. Long dsDNA (3.5 kb) at the PBS activates short oligo C RNA-mediated ATPase activity at the secondary binding site (SBS). The pre-bound Rho to this long DNA reduces the rate and efficiency of its transcription termination activities in vitro. Elevated concentrations of Rho reduced the in vitro transcript

SUBMITTER: Jain S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12133298 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature