A 'resource allocator' for transcription based on a highly fragmented T7 RNA polymerase.

ABSTRACT: Synthetic genetic systems share resources with the host, including machinery for transcription and translation. Phage RNA polymerases (RNAPs) decouple transcription from the host and generate high expression. However, they can exhibit toxicity and lack accessory proteins (σ factors and activators) that enable switching between different promoters and modulation of activity. Here, we show that T7 RNAP (883 amino acids) can be divided into four fragments that have to be co-expressed to function. The DNA-binding loop is encoded in a C-terminal 285-aa 'σ fragment', and fragments with different specificity can direct the remaining 601-aa 'core fragment' to different promoters. Using these parts, we have built a resource allocator that sets the core fragment concentration, which is then shared b

SUBMITTER: Segall-Shapiro TH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4299498 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature