scholarly journals Backtracked and paused transcription initiation intermediate of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase

2016 ◽  
Vol 113 (43) ◽  
pp. E6562-E6571 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eitan Lerner ◽  
SangYoon Chung ◽  
Benjamin L. Allen ◽  
Shuang Wang ◽  
Jookyung Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Magnetic Tweezers ◽  
Nucleoside Triphosphate ◽  
Biologically Relevant ◽  
Rate Limiting Step ◽  
Delayed Initiation ◽  
Rate Limiting ◽  
Kinetics Of

Initiation is a highly regulated, rate-limiting step in transcription. We used a series of approaches to examine the kinetics of RNA polymerase (RNAP) transcription initiation in greater detail. Quenched kinetics assays, in combination with gel-based assays, showed that RNAP exit kinetics from complexes stalled at later stages of initiation (e.g., from a 7-base transcript) were markedly slower than from earlier stages (e.g., from a 2- or 4-base transcript). In addition, the RNAP–GreA endonuclease accelerated transcription kinetics from otherwise delayed initiation states. Further examination with magnetic tweezers transcription experiments showed that RNAP adopted a long-lived backtracked state during initiation and that the paused–backtracked initiation intermediate was populated abundantly at physiologically relevant nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) concentrations. The paused intermediate population was further increased when the NTP concentration was decreased and/or when an imbalance in NTP concentration was introduced (situations that mimic stress). Our results confirm the existence of a previously hypothesized paused and backtracked RNAP initiation intermediate and suggest it is biologically relevant; furthermore, such intermediates could be exploited for therapeutic purposes and may reflect a conserved state among paused, initiating eukaryotic RNA polymerase II enzymes.

scholarly journals A Novel Initiation Pathway in Escherichia Coli Transcription

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eitan Lerner ◽  
SangYoon Chung ◽  
Benjamin L. Allen ◽  
Shuang Wang ◽  
Jookyung J. Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Rate Limiting Step ◽  
Limiting Step ◽  
Magnetic Tweezer ◽  
Delayed Initiation ◽  
Rate Limiting ◽  
Kinetics Of

AbstractInitiation is a highly regulated, rate-limiting step in transcription. We employed a series of approaches to examine the kinetics of RNA polymerase (RNAP) transcription initiation in greater detail. Quenched kinetics assays, in combination with magnetic tweezer experiments and other methods, showed that, contrary to expectations, RNAP exit kinetics from later stages of initiation (e.g. from a 7-base transcript) was markedly slower than from earlier stages. Further examination implicated a previously unidentified intermediate in which RNAP adopted a long-lived backtracked state during initiation. In agreement, the RNAP-GreA endonuclease accelerated transcription kinetics from otherwise delayed initiation states and prevented RNAP backtracking. Our results indicate a previously uncharacterized RNAP initiation state that could be exploited for therapeutic purposes and may reflect a conserved intermediate among paused, initiating eukaryotic enzymes.Significance:Transcription initiation by RNAP is rate limiting owing to many factors, including a newly discovered slow initiation pathway characterized by RNA backtracking and pausing. This backtracked and paused state occurs when all NTPs are present in equal amounts, but becomes more prevalent with NTP shortage, which mimics cellular stress conditions. Pausing and backtracking in initiation may play an important role in transcriptional regulation, and similar backtracked states may contribute to pausing among eukaryotic RNA polymerase II enzymes.

RNA polymerase II pauses at the 5' end of the transcriptionally induced Drosophila hsp70 gene

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 5285-5290
Author(s):  
T O'Brien ◽  
J T Lis
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Heat Shock ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Intermediate Level ◽  
Hsp70 Gene ◽  
Rate Limiting Step ◽  
Limiting Step ◽  
Initiation Of Transcription ◽  
Rate Limiting

An RNA polymerase II molecule is associated with the 5' end of the Drosophila melanogaster hsp70 gene under non-heat shock conditions. This polymerase is engaged in transcription but has paused, or arrested, after synthesizing about 25 nucleotides (A. E. Rougvie and J. T. Lis, Cell 54:795-804, 1988). Resumption of elongation by this paused polymerase appears to be the rate-limiting step in hsp70 transcription in uninduced cells. Here we report results of nuclear run-on assays that measure the distribution of elongating and paused RNA polymerase molecules on the hsp70 gene in induced cells. Pausing of polymerase was detected at the 5' end of hsp70 in cells exposed to the intermediate heat shock temperatures of 27 and 30 degrees C. At 30 degrees C, each copy of hsp70 was transcribed approximately five times during the 25-min heat shock that we used. Therefore, once the hsp70 gene is induced to an intermediate level, initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II remains more rapid than the resumption of elongation by a paused polymerase molecule.

scholarly journals Comparison of promoter-specific events during transcription initiation in mycobacteria

Microbiology ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 156 (7) ◽  
pp. 1942-1952 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arnab China ◽  
Priyanka Tare ◽  
Valakunja Nagaraja
Keyword(s):  
Protein Interactions ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Kinetic Properties ◽  
Kinetic Rate ◽  
Rate Limiting Step ◽  
Equilibrium Binding ◽  
Transcription Process ◽  
Kinetic Rate Constants ◽  
Rate Limiting ◽  
Kinetics Of

DNA–protein interactions that occur during transcription initiation play an important role in regulating gene expression. To initiate transcription, RNA polymerase (RNAP) binds to promoters in a sequence-specific fashion. This is followed by a series of steps governed by the equilibrium binding and kinetic rate constants, which in turn determine the overall efficiency of the transcription process. We present here the first detailed kinetic analysis of promoter–RNAP interactions during transcription initiation in the σ A-dependent promoters P rrnAPCL1 , P rrnB and P gyr of Mycobacterium smegmatis. The promoters show comparable equilibrium binding affinity but differ significantly in open complex formation, kinetics of isomerization and promoter clearance. Furthermore, the two rrn promoters exhibit varied kinetic properties during transcription initiation and appear to be subjected to different modes of regulation. In addition to distinct kinetic patterns, each one of the housekeeping promoters studied has its own rate-limiting step in the initiation pathway, indicating the differences in their regulation.

scholarly journals A yeast TATA-binding protein mutant that selectively enhances gene expression from weak RNA polymerase II promoters.

1997 ◽  
Vol 17 (5) ◽  
pp. 2888-2896 ◽  
Author(s):  
W S Blair ◽  
B R Cullen
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Tata Binding Protein ◽  
Mrna Transcription ◽  
Highly Active ◽  
Rate Limiting Step ◽  
Limiting Step ◽  
Rate Limiting

We describe a unique gain-of-function mutant of the TATA-binding protein (TBP) subunit of Saccharomyces cerevisiae TFIID that, at least in part, renders transcriptional transactivators dispensable for efficient mRNA expression. The yTBPN69S mutant enhances transcription from weaker yeast promoter elements by up to 50-fold yet does not significantly increase gene expression directed by highly active promoters. Therefore, this TBP mutant and transcriptional transactivators appear to affect a common rate-limiting step in transcription initiation. Consistent with the hypothesis that this step is TFIID recruitment, tethering of TBP to a target promoter via a heterologous DNA binding domain, which is known to bypass the need for transcriptional transactivators, also nullifies the enhancing effect exerted by the N69S mutation. These data provide genetic support for the hypothesis that TFIID recruitment represents a rate-limiting step in the initiation of mRNA transcription that is specifically enhanced by transcriptional transactivators.

scholarly journals Transcription closed and open complex formation coordinate expression of genes with a shared promoter region

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (161) ◽  
pp. 20190507
Author(s):  
Antti Häkkinen ◽  
Samuel M. D. Oliveira ◽  
Ramakanth Neeli-Venkata ◽  
Andre S. Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Regulatory Elements ◽  
Promoter Elements ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Rate Limiting Step ◽  
Expression Of Genes ◽  
Active Transcription ◽  
Rate Limiting ◽  
Kinetics Of

Many genes are spaced closely, allowing coordination without explicit control through shared regulatory elements and molecular interactions. We study the dynamics of a stochastic model of a gene-pair in a head-to-head configuration, sharing promoter elements, which accounts for the rate-limiting steps in transcription initiation. We find that only in specific regions of the parameter space of the rate-limiting steps is orderly coexpression exhibited, suggesting that successful cooperation between closely spaced genes requires the coevolution of compatible rate-limiting step configuration. The model predictions are validated using in vivo single-cell, single-RNA measurements of the dynamics of pairs of genes sharing promoter elements. Our results suggest that, in E. coli , the kinetics of the rate-limiting steps in active transcription can play a central role in shaping the dynamics of gene-pairs sharing promoter elements.

scholarly journals RNA polymerase II pauses at the 5' end of the transcriptionally induced Drosophila hsp70 gene.

1991 ◽  
Vol 11 (10) ◽  
pp. 5285-5290 ◽  
Author(s):  
T O'Brien ◽  
J T Lis
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Heat Shock ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Intermediate Level ◽  
Hsp70 Gene ◽  
Rate Limiting Step ◽  
Limiting Step ◽  
Initiation Of Transcription ◽  
Rate Limiting

An RNA polymerase II molecule is associated with the 5' end of the Drosophila melanogaster hsp70 gene under non-heat shock conditions. This polymerase is engaged in transcription but has paused, or arrested, after synthesizing about 25 nucleotides (A. E. Rougvie and J. T. Lis, Cell 54:795-804, 1988). Resumption of elongation by this paused polymerase appears to be the rate-limiting step in hsp70 transcription in uninduced cells. Here we report results of nuclear run-on assays that measure the distribution of elongating and paused RNA polymerase molecules on the hsp70 gene in induced cells. Pausing of polymerase was detected at the 5' end of hsp70 in cells exposed to the intermediate heat shock temperatures of 27 and 30 degrees C. At 30 degrees C, each copy of hsp70 was transcribed approximately five times during the 25-min heat shock that we used. Therefore, once the hsp70 gene is induced to an intermediate level, initiation of transcription by RNA polymerase II remains more rapid than the resumption of elongation by a paused polymerase molecule.

scholarly journals Functional Interaction between TFIIB and the Rpb2 Subunit of RNA Polymerase II: Implications for the Mechanism of Transcription Initiation

2004 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 3983-3991 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bo-Shiun Chen ◽  
Michael Hampsey
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Site Selection ◽  
Transcription Initiation ◽  
Growth Defect ◽  
Nucleoside Triphosphate ◽  
Start Site ◽  
Functional Interaction ◽  
Rnap Ii

ABSTRACT The general transcription factor TFIIB is required for accurate initiation, although the mechanism by which RNA polymerase II (RNAP II) identifies initiation sites is not well understood. Here we describe results from genetic and biochemical analyses of an altered form of yeast TFIIB containing an arginine-78 → cysteine (R78C) replacement in the “B-finger” domain. TFIIB R78C shifts start site selection downstream of normal and confers a cold-sensitive growth defect (Csm−). Suppression of the R78C Csm− phenotype identified a functional interaction between TFIIB and the Rpb2 subunit of RNAP II and defined a novel role for Rpb2 in start site selection. The rpb2 suppressor encodes a glycine-369 → serine (G369S) replacement, located in the “lobe” domain of Rpb2 and near the Rpb9 subunit, which was identified previously as an effector of start site selection. The Rpb2-Rpb9 “lobe-jaw” region of RNAP II is downstream of the catalytic center and distal to the site of RNAP II-TFIIB interaction. A TFIIB R78C mutant extract was defective for promoter-specific run-on transcription but yielded an altered pattern of abortive initiation products, indicating that the R78C defect does not preclude initiation. The sua7-3 rpb2-101 double mutant was sensitive to 6-azauracil in vivo and to nucleoside triphosphate substrate depletion in vitro. In the context of the recent X-ray structure of the yeast RNAP II-TFIIB complex, these results define a functional interaction between the B-finger domain of TFIIB and the distal lobe-jaw region of RNAP II and provide insight into the mechanism of start site selection.

Postinitiation transcriptional control in Drosophila melanogaster

1990 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 6041-6045
Author(s):  
A E Rougvie ◽  
J T Lis
Keyword(s):  
Drosophila Melanogaster ◽  
Transcriptional Regulation ◽  
Heat Shock ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Transcriptional Control ◽  
Rate Limiting Step ◽  
Limiting Step ◽  
Rate Limiting

Drosophila hsp70 genes have an RNA polymerase II molecule paused at their 5' ends in uninduced cells. In this study we have shown that this pausing also occurs on other heat shock and constitutively expressed genes. We propose that a rate-limiting step in early elongation occurs in many Drosophila genes and may be a target for transcriptional regulation.

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