The linker domain of basal transcription factor TFIIB controls distinct recruitment and transcription stimulation functions.

ABSTRACT: RNA polymerases (RNAPs) require basal transcription factors to assist them during transcription initiation. One of these factors, TFIIB, combines promoter recognition, recruitment of RNAP, promoter melting, start site selection and various post-initiation functions. The ability of 381 site-directed mutants in the TFIIB 'linker domain' to stimulate abortive transcription was systematically quantitated using promoter-independent dinucleotide extension assays. The results revealed two distinct clusters (mjTFIIB E78-R80 and mjTFIIB R90-G94, respectively) that were particularly sensitive to substitutions. In contrast, a short sequence (mjTFIIB A81-K89) between these two clusters tolerated radical single amino acid substitutions; short deletions in that region even caused a marked increase in th

SUBMITTER: Wiesler SC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3025549 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature