Oligomerization of the E. coli core RNA polymerase: formation of (α2ββ'ω)2-DNA complexes and regulation of the oligomerization by auxiliary subunits.

ABSTRACT: In this work, using multiple, dissimilar physico-chemical techniques, we demonstrate that the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase core enzyme obtained through a classic purification procedure forms stable (α(2)ββ'ω)(2) complexes in the presence or absence of short DNA probes. Multiple control experiments indicate that this self-association is unlikely to be mediated by RNA polymerase-associated non-protein molecules. We show that the formation of (α(2)ββ'ω)(2) complexes is subject to regulation by known RNA polymerase interactors, such as the auxiliary SWI/SNF subunit of RNA polymerase RapA, as well as NusA and σ(70). We also demonstrate that the separation of the core RNA polymerase and RNA polymerase holoenzyme species during Mono Q chromatography is likely due to oligomerization of the core

SUBMITTER: Kansara SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3080401 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature