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.

scholarly journals Structure-function comparisons of (p)ppApp vs (p)ppGpp for Escherichia coli RNA polymerase binding sites and for rrnB P1 promoter regulatory responses in vitro

2018 ◽  
Vol 1861 (8) ◽  
pp. 731-742 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bożena Bruhn-Olszewska ◽  
Vadim Molodtsov ◽  
Michał Sobala ◽  
Maciej Dylewski ◽  
Katsuhiko S. Murakami ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Structure Function ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Polymerase Binding

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.

Electron microscopic mapping of RNA polymerase binding sites on SV40 DNA

Gene ◽  
1981 ◽  
Vol 16 (1-3) ◽  
pp. 331-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frank Vogel ◽  
Siegfried Scherneck
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
Polymerase Binding ◽  
Sv40 Dna

scholarly journals An archaebacterial promoter sequence assigned by RNA polymerase binding experiments

1989 ◽  
Vol 35 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Thomm ◽  
Günter Wich ◽  
James W. Brown ◽  
Gerhard Frey ◽  
Bruce A. Sherf ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Dna Sequences ◽  
Specific Binding ◽  
Promoter Sequence ◽  
Rrna Genes ◽  
Protein Encoding ◽  
Nuclease Digestion ◽  
Polymerase Binding

To identify an archaebacterial promoter sequence, nuclease protection studies with the purified RNA polymerase of Methanococcus vannielii were performed. The enzyme binds specifically both at protein-encoding (hisA and methyl CoM reductase, component C) and tRNA–rRNA genes. The binding region of the RNA polymerase extends from 30 base pairs (bp) upstream (−30) to 20 bp downstream (+20) from the in vivo transcription start site. This finding indicates that the archaebacterial enzyme recognizes promoters without transacting traascription factors. The DNA segment protected from nuclease digestion by bound RNA polymerase contains an octanucleotide sequence centered at −25, which is conserved between the protein-encoding and the stable RNA genes. According to the specific binding of the enzyme to only DNA-fragments harbouring this motif, we propose the sequence TTTATATA as the major recognition signal of the Methanococcus RNA polymerase. Comparison of this motif with published archaebacterial DNA sequences revealed the presence of homologous sequences at the same location upstream of 36 genes. We therefore consider the overall consensus [Formula: see text] as a general element of promoters in archaebacteria. In spite of the specific binding of the enzyme, most preparations of the Methanococcus vannielii RNA polymerase are unable to initiate transcription at the correct sites in vitro. Here we present first evidence for the possible existence of a transcription factor conferring the ability to the enzyme to initiate and terminate transcription specifically in vitro.Key words: promoter, footprint, TATA box, RNA polymerase, transcription.

scholarly journals In Vivo and In Vitro Effects of Integration Host Factor at the DmpR-Regulated ς54-Dependent Po Promoter

2001 ◽  
Vol 183 (9) ◽  
pp. 2842-2851 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun Chau Sze ◽  
Andrew D. Laurie ◽  
Victoria Shingler
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Binding Site ◽  
Binding Sites ◽  
Integration Host Factor ◽  
Host Factor ◽  
Physical Interaction ◽  
Rich Region ◽  
Polymerase Binding

ABSTRACT Transcription from the Pseudomonas CF600-derived ς54-dependent promoter Po is controlled by the aromatic-responsive activator DmpR. Here we examine the mechanism(s) by which integration host factor (IHF) stimulates DmpR-activated transcriptional output of the Po promoter both in vivo and in vitro. In vivo, the Po promoter exhibits characteristics that typify many ς54-dependent promoters, namely, a phasing-dependent tolerance with respect to the distance from the regulator binding sites to the distally located RNA polymerase binding site, and a strong dependence on IHF for optimal promoter output. IHF is shown to affect transcription via structural repercussions mediated through binding to a single DNA signature located between the regulator and RNA polymerase binding sites. In vitro, using DNA templates that lack the regulator binding sites and thus bypass a role of IHF in facilitating physical interaction between the regulator and the transcriptional apparatus, IHF still mediates a DNA binding-dependent stimulation of Po transcription. This stimulatory effect is shown to be independent of previously described mechanisms for the effects of IHF at ς54 promoters such as aiding binding of the regulator or recruitment of ς54-RNA polymerase via UP element-like DNA. The effect of IHF could be traced to promotion and/or stabilization of open complexes within the nucleoprotein complex that may involve an A+T-rich region of the IHF binding site and promoter-upstream DNA. Mechanistic implications are discussed in the context of a model in which IHF binding results in transduction of DNA instability from an A+T-rich region to the melt region of the promoter.

scholarly journals Conversion of the Vibrio fischeriTranscriptional Activator, LuxR, to a Repressor

2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (3) ◽  
pp. 805-811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristi A. Egland ◽  
E. P. Greenberg
Keyword(s):  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Transcriptional Activation ◽  
Vibrio Fischeri ◽  
Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Acyl Homoserine Lactone ◽  
Mutant Proteins ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Polymerase Binding ◽  
Regulatory Dna

ABSTRACT The Vibrio fischeri luminescence (lux) operon is regulated by a quorum-sensing system that involves the transcriptional activator (LuxR) and an acyl-homoserine lactone signal. Transcriptional activation requires the presence of a 20-base inverted repeat termed the lux box at a position centered 42.5 bases upstream of the transcriptional start of the lux operon. LuxR has proven difficult to study in vitro. A truncated form of LuxR has been purified, and together with ς70 RNA polymerase it can activate transcription of the lux operon. Both the truncated LuxR and RNA polymerase are required for binding tolux regulatory DNA in vitro. We have constructed an artificial lacZ promoter with the lux box positioned between and partially overlapping the consensus −35 and −10 hexamers of an RNA polymerase binding site. LuxR functioned as an acyl-homoserine lactone-dependent repressor at this promoter in recombinant Escherichia coli. Furthermore, multiplelux boxes on an independent replicon reduced the repressor activity of LuxR. Thus, it appears that LuxR can bind tolux boxes independently of RNA polymerase binding to the promoter region. A variety of LuxR mutant proteins were studied, and with one exception there was a correlation between function as a repressor of the artificial promoter and activation of a nativelux operon. The exception was the truncated protein that had been purified and studied in vitro. This protein functioned as an activator but not as a repressor in E. coli. The data indicate that the mutual dependence of purified, truncated LuxR and RNA polymerase on each other for binding to the lux promoter is a feature specific to the truncated LuxR and that full-length LuxR by itself can bind to lux box-containing DNA.

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