scholarly journals Mutational analysis of Escherichia coli GreA protein reveals new functional activity independent of antipause and lethal when overexpressed

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Llorenç Fernández-Coll ◽  
Katarzyna Potrykus ◽  
Michael Cashel ◽  
Carlos Balsalobre
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Secondary Channel ◽  
Reporter System ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Functional Studies ◽  
The Family ◽  
Pause Site

Abstract There is a growing appreciation for the diverse regulatory consequences of the family of proteins that bind to the secondary channel of E. coli RNA polymerase (RNAP), such as GreA, GreB or DksA. Similar binding sites could suggest a competition between them. GreA is characterised to rescue stalled RNAP complexes due to its antipause activity, but also it is involved in transcription fidelity and proofreading. Here, overexpression of GreA is noted to be lethal independent of its antipause activity. A library of random GreA variants has been used to isolate lethality suppressors to assess important residues for GreA functionality and its interaction with the RNA polymerase. Some mutant defects are inferred to be associated with altered binding competition with DksA, while other variants seem to have antipause activity defects that cannot reverse a GreA-sensitive pause site in a fliC::lacZ reporter system. Surprisingly, apparent binding and cleavage defects are found scattered throughout both the coiled-coil and globular domains. Thus, the coiled-coil of GreA is not just a measuring stick ensuring placement of acidic residues precisely at the catalytic centre but also seems to have binding functions. These lethality suppressor mutants may provide valuable tools for future structural and functional studies.

scholarly journals The δ subunit and NTPase HelD institute a two-pronged mechanism for RNA polymerase recycling

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hao-Hong Pei ◽  
Tarek Hilal ◽  
Zhuo A. Chen ◽  
Yong-Heng Huang ◽  
Yuan Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Nucleic Acids ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Slow Growth ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Main Channel ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Secondary Channel

AbstractCellular RNA polymerases (RNAPs) can become trapped on DNA or RNA, threatening genome stability and limiting free enzyme pools, but how RNAP recycling into active states is achieved remains elusive. In Bacillus subtilis, the RNAP δ subunit and NTPase HelD have been implicated in RNAP recycling. We structurally analyzed Bacillus subtilis RNAP-δ-HelD complexes. HelD has two long arms: a Gre cleavage factor-like coiled-coil inserts deep into the RNAP secondary channel, dismantling the active site and displacing RNA, while a unique helical protrusion inserts into the main channel, prying the β and β′ subunits apart and, aided by δ, dislodging DNA. RNAP is recycled when, after releasing trapped nucleic acids, HelD dissociates from the enzyme in an ATP-dependent manner. HelD abundance during slow growth and a dimeric (RNAP-δ-HelD)2 structure that resembles hibernating eukaryotic RNAP I suggest that HelD might also modulate active enzyme pools in response to cellular cues.

An energy charge sensor for balancing RNA polymerase recycling and hibernation

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Markus Wahl ◽  
Hao-Hong Pei ◽  
Tarek Hilal ◽  
Zhuo Chen ◽  
Yong-Heng Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Active Site ◽  
Genome Stability ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Energy Charge ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Main Channel ◽  
Rna Polymerase I ◽  
Secondary Channel ◽  
Polymerase I

Abstract Cellular RNA polymerases can become trapped on DNA or RNA, threatening genome stability and limiting free enzyme pools, or enter dormancy. How RNA polymerase recycling into active states is achieved and balanced with quiescence remains elusive. We structurally analyzed Bacillus subtilis RNA polymerase bound to the NTPase HelD. HelD has two long arms: a Gre cleavage factor-like coiled-coil inserts deep into the RNA polymerase secondary channel, dismantling the active site and displacing RNA; a unique helical protrusion inserts into the main channel, prying β and β’ subunits apart and dislodging DNA, aided by the δ subunit. HelD release depends on ATP, and a dimeric structure resembling hibernating RNA polymerase I suggests that HelD can induce dormancy at low energy levels. Our results reveal an ingenious mechanism by which active RNA polymerase pools are adjusted in response to the nutritional state.

scholarly journals Mutational Analysis of the Promoter Recognized by Chlamydia and Escherichia coli σ28 RNA Polymerase

2006 ◽  
Vol 188 (15) ◽  
pp. 5524-5531 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hilda Hiu Yin Yu ◽  
Elizabeth G. Di Russo ◽  
Megan A. Rounds ◽  
Ming Tan
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
Promoter Sequence ◽  
Promoter Element ◽  
Developmental Gene ◽  
Spacer Length ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Promoter Recognition ◽  
Developmental Gene Regulation

ABSTRACT σ28 RNA polymerase is an alternative RNA polymerase that has been postulated to have a role in developmental gene regulation in Chlamydia. Although a consensus bacterial σ28 promoter sequence has been proposed, it is based on a relatively small number of defined promoters, and the promoter structure has not been systematically analyzed. To evaluate the sequence of the σ28-dependent promoter, we performed a comprehensive mutational analysis of the Chlamydia trachomatis hctB promoter, testing the effect of point substitutions on promoter activity. We defined a −35 element recognized by chlamydial σ28 RNA polymerase that resembles the consensus −35 sequence. Within the −10 element, however, chlamydial σ28 RNA polymerase showed a striking preference for a CGA sequence at positions −12 to −10 rather than the longer consensus −10 sequence. We also observed a strong preference for this CGA sequence by Escherichia coli σ28 RNA polymerase, suggesting that this previously unrecognized motif is the critical component of the −10 promoter element recognized by σ28 RNA polymerase. Although the consensus spacer length is 11 nucleotides (nt), we found that σ28 RNA polymerase from both Chlamydia and E. coli transcribed a promoter with either an 11- or 12-nt spacer equally well. Altogether, we found very similar results for σ28 RNA polymerase from C. trachomatis and E. coli, suggesting that promoter recognition by this alternative RNA polymerase is well conserved among bacteria. The preferred σ28 promoter that we defined in the context of the hctB promoter is TAAAGwwy-n11/12-ryCGAwrn, where w is A or T, r is a purine, y is a pyrimidine, n is any nucleotide, and n11/12 is a spacer of 11 or 12 nt.

scholarly journals Mutational Analysis of the Chlamydia trachomatis rRNA P1 Promoter Defines Four Regions Important for Transcription In Vitro

1998 ◽  
Vol 180 (9) ◽  
pp. 2359-2366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ming Tan ◽  
Tamas Gaal ◽  
Richard L. Gourse ◽  
Joanne N. Engel
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Chlamydia Trachomatis ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Mutational Analysis ◽  
In Vitro Transcription ◽  
Rna Polymerases ◽  
Rich Region ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Transcription In Vitro

ABSTRACT We have characterized the Chlamydia trachomatisribosomal promoter, rRNA P1, by measuring the effect of substitutions and deletions on in vitro transcription with partially purifiedC. trachomatis RNA polymerase. Our analyses indicate that rRNA P1 contains potential −10 and −35 elements, analogous toEscherichia coli promoters recognized by E-ς70. We identified a novel AT-rich region immediately downstream of the −35 region. The effect of this region was specific for C. trachomatis RNA polymerase and strongly attenuated by single G or C substitutions. Upstream of the −35 region was an AT-rich sequence that enhanced transcription by C. trachomatis and E. coli RNA polymerases. We propose that this region functions as an UP element.

scholarly journals Binding sites of E. coli RNA polymerase on T7 DNA as determined by electron microscopy

FEBS Letters ◽  
1974 ◽  
Vol 45 (1-2) ◽  
pp. 64-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Portmann ◽  
J.M. Sogo ◽  
Th. Koller ◽  
W. Zillig
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
E Coli

scholarly journals iRAPs curb antisense transcription in E. coli

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (20) ◽  
pp. 10894-10905 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrés Magán ◽  
Fabian Amman ◽  
Fatinah El-Isa ◽  
Natascha Hartl ◽  
Ilya Shamovsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Antisense Transcription ◽  
Rna Aptamers ◽  
Antisense Strand ◽  
Genomic Context ◽  
Reporter System ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Polymerase Binding ◽  
In Cis

Abstract RNA polymerase-binding RNA aptamers (RAPs) are natural RNA elements that control transcription in cis by directly contacting RNA polymerase. Many RAPs inhibit transcription by inducing Rho-dependent termination in Escherichia coli. Here, we studied the role of inhibitory RAPs (iRAPs) in modulation of antisense transcription (AT) using in silico and in vivo approaches. We revisited the antisense transcriptome in cells with impaired AT regulators (Rho, H-NS and RNaseIII) and searched for the presence of RAPs within antisense RNAs. Many of these RAPs were found at key genomic positions where they terminate AT. By exploring the activity of several RAPs both in a reporter system and in their natural genomic context, we confirmed their significant role in AT regulation. RAPs coordinate Rho activity at the antisense strand and terminate antisense transcripts. In some cases, they stimulated sense expression by alleviating ongoing transcriptional interference. Essentially, our data postulate RAPs as key determinants of Rho-mediated AT regulation in E. coli.

scholarly journals Immobilization of Escherichia coli RNA Polymerase and Location of Binding Sites by Use of Chromatin Immunoprecipitation and Microarrays

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (17) ◽  
pp. 6166-6174 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Herring ◽  
Marni Raffaelle ◽  
Timothy E. Allen ◽  
Elenita I. Kanin ◽  
Robert Landick ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Chromatin Immunoprecipitation ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Reading Frame ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Genome Wide ◽  
Polymerase Binding ◽  
Chip Chip ◽  
Negative Detection

ABSTRACT The genome-wide location of RNA polymerase binding sites was determined in Escherichia coli using chromatin immunoprecipitation and microarrays (chIP-chip). Cross-linked chromatin was isolated in triplicate from rifampin-treated cells, and DNA bound to RNA polymerase was precipitated with an antibody specific for the β′ subunit. The DNA was amplified and hybridized to “tiled” oligonucleotide microarrays representing the whole genome at 25-bp resolution. A total of 1,139 binding sites were detected and evaluated by comparison to gene expression data from identical conditions and to 961 promoters previously identified by established methods. Of the detected binding sites, 418 were located within 1,000 bp of a known promoter, leaving 721 previously unknown RNA polymerase binding sites. Within 200 bp, we were able to detect 51% (189/368) of the known σ70-specific promoters occurring upstream of an expressed open reading frame and 74% (273/368) within 1,000 bp. Conversely, many known promoters were not detected by chIP-chip, leading to an estimated 26% negative-detection rate. Most of the detected binding sites could be associated with expressed transcription units, but 299 binding sites occurred near inactive transcription units. This map of RNA polymerase binding sites represents a foundation for studies of transcription factors in E. coli and an important evaluation of the chIP-chip technique.

scholarly journals Changes in the number of binding sites for ribonucleic acid polymerase in chromatin of WI-38 fibroblasts stimulated to proliferate

1974 ◽  
Vol 141 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-34 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bridget T. Hill ◽  
Renato Baserga
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Ribonucleic Acid ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Template Activity ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Human Diploid Fibroblasts ◽  
Chromatin Template ◽  
Number Of Binding Sites

1. When WI-38 human diploid fibroblasts form confluent monolayers, DNA synthesis and cell division almost completely cease. A change of medium causes these density-inhibited cells to proliferate and within 1h after the application of the stimulus there is an increase in template activity of the chromatin isolated from stimulated cells. 2. The number of binding sites for Escherichia coli RNA polymerase was determined on chromatin from WI-38 cells by two different methods, i.e. incorporation of [3H]UTP into RNA in the absence of reinitiation, and incorporation of [γ-32P]GTP into chain termini. 3. Both methods indicate that the capacity of chromatin to bind E. coli RNA polymerase is increased in WI-38 cells stimulated to proliferate. 4. The increase in the number of binding sites for E. coli RNA polymerase parallels the increase in chromatin template activity and suggests that the latter reflects an increase in the number of initiation sites, rather than an increase in the rate of transcription.

Electron-microscopic mapping of AT-rich regions and of E. coli RNA polymerase-binding sites on the circular kinetoplast DNA of Trypanosoma cruzi

1975 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 287-306
Author(s):  
C. Brack ◽  
E. Delain
Keyword(s):  
Dna Replication ◽  
Trypanosoma Cruzi ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Kinetoplast Dna ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Polymerase Binding

Partial alkaline denaturation of the circular kinetoplast DNA (kDNA) of Trypanosoma cruzi has shown the existence of 4 small, well-defined AT-rich regions with an average size of about 200 base pairs. They are almost equally distributed, separated by approximately 90 degrees on the circular molecule. All minicircles, whether free or linked in networks, have the same denaturation pattern and, therefore, seem to contain the same information. The long linear molecules present in low amounts in the kDNA samples do not show the same denaturation pattern. Partial denaturation of molecules in larger associations indicates that the circular units may be linked to each other by one strand only. kDNA can be transcribed in vitro by the RNA polymerase of E. coli. RNA polymerase-kDNA complexes have been studied in the electron microscope. By spreading the DNA-protein complexes by adhesion to positively charged carbon films and dark-field observation, it was possible to show the existence of 4 specific binding sites of the E. coli RNA polymerase on the kDNA circles. Comparing the position of the polymerase-binding sites and the AT-rich melted zones, it is suggested that a correlation exists between the two. As had been shown in earlier work, the replication of circular kDNA can be blocked by treating the trypanosomes with the trypanocidal drug Berenil. The comparison of the relative position of the Berenil-blocked replication forks with the position of the 4 denaturation loops shows that the DNA replication is stopped at these AT-rich regions. Since there is evidence that Berenil binds preferentially to AT-rich DNA and seems to be involved in inhibition of DNA replication, the following hypothetical model can be proposed. The replication of the circular kDNA molecules is discontinuous and involves the synthesis of RNA primers; when Berenil is bound to the AT-rich regions, synthesis of new RNA primers is inhibited and replication is blocked at these points, leading to the accumulation of replicating intermediates with defined branch lengths.

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