scholarly journals T4 early promoter strength probed in vivo with unribosylated and ADP-ribosylated Escherichia coli RNA polymerase: a mutation analysis

Microbiology ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 146 (10) ◽  
pp. 2643-2653 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole Sommer ◽  
Vida Salniene ◽  
Egle Gineikiene ◽  
Rimas Nivinskas ◽  
Wolfgang Rüger
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Mutation Analysis ◽  
Promoter Strength ◽  
Early Promoter

scholarly journals Structural origins of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase open promoter complex stability

2021 ◽  
Vol 118 (40) ◽  
pp. e2112877118
Author(s):  
Ruth M. Saecker ◽  
James Chen ◽  
Courtney E. Chiu ◽  
Brandon Malone ◽  
Johanna Sotiris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Promoter Strength ◽  
Transcription Bubble ◽  
Template Strand ◽  
Solution Studies ◽  
Active Site Cleft ◽  
Promoter Dna

The first step in gene expression in all organisms requires opening the DNA duplex to expose one strand for templated RNA synthesis. In Escherichia coli, promoter DNA sequence fundamentally determines how fast the RNA polymerase (RNAP) forms “open” complexes (RPo), whether RPo persists for seconds or hours, and how quickly RNAP transitions from initiation to elongation. These rates control promoter strength in vivo, but their structural origins remain largely unknown. Here, we use cryoelectron microscopy to determine the structures of RPo formed de novo at three promoters with widely differing lifetimes at 37 °C: λPR (t1/2 ∼10 h), T7A1 (t1/2 ∼4 min), and a point mutant in λPR (λPR-5C) (t1/2 ∼2 h). Two distinct RPo conformers are populated at λPR, likely representing productive and unproductive forms of RPo observed in solution studies. We find that changes in the sequence and length of DNA in the transcription bubble just upstream of the start site (+1) globally alter the network of DNA–RNAP interactions, base stacking, and strand order in the single-stranded DNA of the transcription bubble; these differences propagate beyond the bubble to upstream and downstream DNA. After expanding the transcription bubble by one base (T7A1), the nontemplate strand “scrunches” inside the active site cleft; the template strand bulges outside the cleft at the upstream edge of the bubble. The structures illustrate how limited sequence changes trigger global alterations in the transcription bubble that modulate the RPo lifetime and affect the subsequent steps of the transcription cycle.

scholarly journals Structural origins of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase open promoter complex stability

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruth M. Saecker ◽  
James Chen ◽  
Courtney E. Chiu ◽  
Brandon Malone ◽  
Johanna Sotiris ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Promoter Strength ◽  
Transcription Bubble ◽  
Template Strand ◽  
Solution Studies ◽  
Active Site Cleft ◽  
Promoter Dna

AbstractThe first step of gene expression in all organisms requires opening the DNA duplex to expose one strand for templated RNA synthesis. In Escherichia coli, promoter DNA sequence fundamentally determines how fast the RNA polymerase (RNAP) forms “open” complexes (RPo), whether RPo persists for seconds or hours, and how quickly RNAP transitions from initiation to elongation. These rates control promoter strength in vivo but their structural origins remain largely unknown. Here we use cryo-electron microscopy to determine structures of RPo formed de novo at three promoters with widely differing lifetimes at 37°C: λPR (t1/2 ∼ 10 hours), T7A1 (t1/2 ∼ 4 minutes), and a point mutant in λPR (λPR-5C) (t1/2 ∼ 2 hours). Two distinct RPo conformers are populated at λPR, likely representing productive and unproductive forms of RPo observed in solution studies. We find that changes in the sequence and length of DNA in the transcription bubble just upstream of the start site (+1) globally alter the network of DNA-RNAP interactions, base stacking, and strand order in the single-stranded DNA of the transcription bubble; these differences propagate beyond the bubble to upstream and downstream DNA. After expanding the transcription bubble by one base (T7A1), the nontemplate-strand “scrunches” inside the active site cleft; the template-strand bulges outside the cleft at the upstream edge of the bubble. The structures illustrate how limited sequence changes trigger global alterations in the transcription bubble that modulate RPo lifetime and affect the subsequent steps of the transcription cycle.

scholarly journals Substitution of a Highly Conserved Histidine in the Escherichia coli Heat Shock Transcription Factor, σ32, Affects Promoter Utilization In Vitro and Leads to Overexpression of the Biofilm-Associated Flu Protein In Vivo

2007 ◽  
Vol 189 (23) ◽  
pp. 8430-8436 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga V. Kourennaia ◽  
Pieter L. deHaseth
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Heat Shock ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Sigma Factor ◽  
Stable Complex ◽  
Tryptophan Residue ◽  
Specific Sequence ◽  
Bacterial Rna

ABSTRACT The heat shock sigma factor (σ32 in Escherichia coli) directs the bacterial RNA polymerase to promoters of a specific sequence to form a stable complex, competent to initiate transcription of genes whose products mitigate the effects of exposure of the cell to high temperatures. The histidine at position 107 of σ32 is at the homologous position of a tryptophan residue at position 433 of the main sigma factor of E. coli, σ70. This tryptophan is essential for the strand separation step leading to the formation of the initiation-competent RNA polymerase-promoter complex. The heat shock sigma factors of all gammaproteobacteria sequenced have a histidine at this position, while in the alpha- and deltaproteobacteria, it is a tryptophan. In vitro the alanine-for-histidine substitution at position 107 (H107A) destabilizes complexes between the GroE promoter and RNA polymerase containing σ32, implying that H107 plays a role in formation or maintenance of the strand-separated complex. In vivo, the H107A substitution in σ32 impedes recovery from heat shock (exposure to 42°C), and it also leads to overexpression at lower temperatures (30°C) of the Flu protein, which is associated with biofilm formation.

scholarly journals The −10 Region Is a Key Promoter Specificity Determinant for the Bacillus subtilis Extracytoplasmic-Function ς Factors ςX and ςW

2001 ◽  
Vol 183 (6) ◽  
pp. 1921-1927 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jian Qiu ◽  
John D. Helmann
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Context Effects ◽  
Promoter Strength ◽  
Binding Properties ◽  
Promoter Specificity ◽  
Dna Binding Properties

ABSTRACT Transcriptional selectivity derives, in large part, from the sequence-specific DNA-binding properties of the ς subunit of RNA polymerase. There are 17 ς factors in Bacillus subtilis which, in general, recognize distinct sets of promoters. However, some ς factors have overlapping promoter selectivity. We hypothesize that the overlap between the regulons activated by the ςX and ςW factors can be explained by overlapping specificity for the −10 region: ςX recognizes −10 elements with the sequence CGAC and ςW recognizes CGTA, while both can potentially recognize CGTC. To test this model, we mutated the ςX-specific autoregulatory site (PX), containing the −10 element CGAC, to either CGTC or GCTA. Conversely, the ςW autoregulatory site (PW) was altered from CGTA to CGTC or CGAC. Transcriptional analyses, both in vitro and in vivo, indicate that changes to the −10 element are sufficient to switch a promoter from the ςX to the ςW regulon or, conversely, from the ςW to the ςX regulon, but context effects clearly play an important role in determining promoter strength. It seems likely that these subtle differences in promoter selectivity derive from amino acid differences in conserved region 2 of ς, which contacts the −10 element. However, we were unable to alter promoter selectivity by replacements of two candidate recognition residues in ςW.

Application of Escherichia coli phage K1E DNA-dependent RNA polymerase for in vitro RNA synthesis and in vivo protein production in Bacillus megaterium

2010 ◽  
Vol 88 (2) ◽  
pp. 529-539 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simon Stammen ◽  
Franziska Schuller ◽  
Sylvia Dietrich ◽  
Martin Gamer ◽  
Rebekka Biedendieck ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Bacillus Megaterium ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Escherichia Coli Phage

scholarly journals In Vivo Effect of NusB and NusG on rRNA Transcription Antitermination

2004 ◽  
Vol 186 (5) ◽  
pp. 1304-1310 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martha Torres ◽  
Joan-Miquel Balada ◽  
Malcolm Zellars ◽  
Craig Squires ◽  
Catherine L. Squires
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Protein Complex ◽  
Test System ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Rrna Transcription ◽  
Transcription Antitermination ◽  
Gene Mrna

ABSTRACT Similarities between lambda and rRNA transcription antitermination have led to suggestions that they involve the same Nus factors. However, direct in vivo confirmation that rRNA antitermination requires all of the lambda Nus factors is lacking. We have therefore analyzed the in vivo role of NusB and NusG in rRNA transcription antitermination and have established that both are essential for it. We used a plasmid test system in which reporter gene mRNA was measured to monitor rRNA antiterminator-dependent bypass of a Rho-dependent terminator. A comparison of terminator read-through in a wild-type Escherichia coli strain and that in a nusB::IS10 mutant strain determined the requirement for NusB. In the absence of NusB, antiterminator-dependent terminator read-through was not detected, showing that NusB is necessary for rRNA transcription antitermination. The requirement for NusG was determined by comparing rRNA antiterminator-dependent terminator read-through in a strain overexpressing NusG with that in a strain depleted of NusG. In NusG-depleted cells, termination levels were unchanged in the presence or absence of the antiterminator, demonstrating that NusG, like NusB, is necessary for rRNA transcription antitermination. These results imply that NusB and NusG are likely to be part of an RNA-protein complex formed with RNA polymerase during transcription of the rRNA antiterminator sequences that is required for rRNA antiterminator-dependent terminator read-through.

scholarly journals Promoter Strength Properties of the Complete Sigma E Regulon of Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica

2009 ◽  
Vol 191 (23) ◽  
pp. 7279-7287 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vivek K. Mutalik ◽  
Gen Nonaka ◽  
Sarah E. Ades ◽  
Virgil A. Rhodius ◽  
Carol A. Gross
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Polymerase Ii ◽  
Outer Membrane ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Dynamic Range ◽  
Strength Properties ◽  
Promoter Strength ◽  
Α Subunit ◽  
Close Relatives

ABSTRACT The σE-directed envelope stress response maintains outer membrane homeostasis and is an important virulence determinant upon host infection in Escherichia coli and related bacteria. σE is activated by at least two distinct mechanisms: accumulation of outer membrane porin precursors and an increase in the alarmone ppGpp upon transition to stationary phase. Expression of the σE regulon is driven from a suite of approximately 60 σE-dependent promoters. Using green fluorescent protein fusions to each of these promoters, we dissected promoter contributions to the output of the regulon under a variety of in vivo conditions. We found that the σE promoters exhibit a large dynamic range, with a few strong and many weak promoters. Interestingly, the strongest promoters control either transcriptional regulators or functions related to porin homeostasis, the very functions conserved among E. coli and its close relatives. We found that (i) the strength of most promoters is significantly affected by the presence of the upstream (−35 to −65) region of the promoter, which encompasses the UP element, a binding site for the C-terminal domain of the α-subunit of RNA polymerase; (ii) ppGpp generally activates σE promoters, and (iii) σE promoters are responsive to changing σE holoenzyme levels under physiological conditions, reinforcing the idea that the σE regulon is extremely dynamic, enabling cellular adaptation to a constantly changing environment.

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