Mutations in the CRE pocket of bacterial RNA polymerase affect multiple steps of transcription.

ABSTRACT: During transcription, the catalytic core of RNA polymerase (RNAP) must interact with the DNA template with low-sequence specificity to ensure efficient enzyme translocation and RNA extension. Unexpectedly, recent structural studies of bacterial promoter complexes revealed specific interactions between the nontemplate DNA strand at the downstream edge of the transcription bubble (CRE, core recognition element) and a protein pocket formed by core RNAP (CRE pocket). We investigated the roles of these interactions in transcription by analyzing point amino acid substitutions and deletions in Escherichia coli RNAP. The mutations affected multiple steps of transcription, including promoter recognition, RNA elongation and termination. In particular, we showed that interactions of the CRE pocket wi

SUBMITTER: Petushkov I 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4499132 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature