Binding of the initiation factor sigma(70) to core RNA polymerase is a multistep process

Mol Cell. 2001 Jul;8(1):21-31. doi: 10.1016/s1097-2765(01)00292-1.

Abstract

The interaction of RNA polymerase and its initiation factors is central to the process of transcription initiation. To dissect the role of this interface, we undertook the identification of the contact sites between RNA polymerase and sigma(70), the Escherichia coli initiation factor. We identified nine mutationally verified interaction sites between sigma(70) and specific domains of RNA polymerase and provide evidence that sigma(70) and RNA polymerase interact in at least a two-step process. We propose that a cycle of changes in the interface of sigma(70) with core RNA polymerase is associated with progression through the process of transcription initiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / chemistry
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / chemistry
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / genetics
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / metabolism*
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Immunoblotting
  • Models, Molecular
  • Peptide Fragments / genetics
  • Peptide Fragments / metabolism*
  • Point Mutation
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / genetics
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Sigma Factor / chemistry
  • Sigma Factor / genetics
  • Sigma Factor / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Peptide Fragments
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Sigma Factor
  • RNA polymerase sigma 70
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases