Minimalism and functionality: Structural lessons from the heterodimeric N4 bacteriophage RNA polymerase II.

ABSTRACT: Genomes of phages, mitochondria, and chloroplasts are transcribed by a diverse group of transcriptional machineries with structurally related single-subunit RNA polymerases (RNAPs). Our understanding of transcription mechanisms of these enzymes is predominantly based on biochemical and structural studies of three most-studied members, transcription factor-independent phage T7 RNAP, transcription factor-dependent phage N4 virion-encapsidated RNAP, and transcription factor-dependent mitochondrial RNAPs (mtRNAP). Although these RNAPs employ completely different mechanisms for promoter recognition and transcription termination, these enzymes are relatively large and formed by single polypeptides. Historically being a model enzyme for studying the mechanisms of transcription by T7-like RNAPs, h

SUBMITTER: Molodtsov V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6120196 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature