Molecular basis for RNA polymerase-dependent transcription complex recycling by the helicase-like motor protein HelD (original) (raw)
Related papers
2003
Transcription ternary complexes of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and yeast RNA polymerase III have been analyzed by atomic force microscopy. Using the method of nucleotide omission and different DNA templates, E. coli RNAP has been stalled at position þ 24, þ 70 and þ 379 and RNAP III at position þ 377 from the starting site. Conformational analysis of E. coli RNAP elongation complexes reveals an average DNA compaction of 22 nm and a DNA deformation compatible with , 1808 DNA wrapping against the enzyme. The extent of protein-DNA interaction attributed to wrapping, however, is less than that of corresponding open promoter complexes. DNA wrapping was also observed for RNAP III elongation complexes, which showed a DNA compaction of 30 nm. When the RNA polymerases were stalled far from the promoter (þ 379 and þ 377), the growing RNA transcript was often visible and it was prevalently seen exiting from the enzyme on the opposite side relative to the smallest angle subtended by the upstream and downstream DNA arms. Surprisingly, we found that many complexes had a second RNAP, not involved in transcription, bound to the growing RNA of a ternary complex. DNA wrapping in the elongation complex suggests a possible mechanism by which the polymerase may overcome the physical barrier to transcription imposed by the nucleosomes.
Embo Reports, 2009
There are three stages of transcribing DNA into RNA. These stages are initiation, elongation and termination, and they are wellunderstood biochemically. However, despite the plethora of structural information made available on RNA polymerase in the last decade, little is available for RNA polymerase in complex with transcription elongation factors. To understand the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation, we describe the first structure, to our knowledge, for a bacterial RNA polymerase in complex with an essential transcription elongation factor. The resulting structure formed between the RNA polymerase and NusA from Bacillus subtilis provides important insights into the transition from an initiation complex to an elongation complex, and how NusA is able to modulate transcription elongation and termination.
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2015
Despite the fundamental importance of transcription, a comprehensive analysis of RNA polymerase (RNAP) behavior and its role in the nucleoid organization in vivo is lacking. Here, we used superresolution microscopy to study the localization and dynamics of the transcription machinery and DNA in live bacterial cells, at both the single-molecule and the population level. We used photoactivated single-molecule tracking to discriminate between mobile RNAPs and RNAPs specifically bound to DNA, either on promoters or transcribed genes. Mobile RNAPs can explore the whole nucleoid while searching for promoters, and spend 85% of their search time in nonspecific interactions with DNA. On the other hand, the distribution of specifically bound RNAPs shows that low levels of transcription can occur throughout the nucleoid. Further, clustering analysis and 3D structured illumination microscopy (SIM) show that dense clusters of transcribing RNAPs form almost exclusively at the nucleoid periphery. Treatment with rifampicin shows that active transcription is necessary for maintaining this spatial organization. In faster growth conditions, the fraction of transcribing RNAPs increases, as well as their clustering. Under these conditions, we observed dramatic phase separation between the densest clusters of RNAPs and the densest regions of the nucleoid. These findings show that transcription can cause spatial reorganization of the nucleoid, with movement of gene loci out of the bulk of DNA as levels of transcription increase. This work provides a global view of the organization of RNA polymerase and transcription in living cells.
The structure of bacterial RNA polymerase in complex with the essential transcription factor NusA
There are three stages of transcribing DNA into RNA. These stages are initiation, elongation and termination, and they are well-understood biochemically. However, despite the plethora of structural information made available on RNA polymerase in the last decade, little is available for RNA polymerase in complex with transcription elongation factors. To understand the mechanisms of transcriptional regulation, we describe the first structure, to our knowledge, for a bacterial RNA polymerase in complex with an essential transcription elongation factor. The resulting structure formed between the RNA polymerase and NusA from Bacillus subtilis provides important insights into the transition from an initiation complex to an elongation complex, and how NusA is able to modulate transcription elongation and termination.
Single-Molecule Study of Transcriptional Pausing and Arrest by E. coli RNA Polymerase
Science, 2000
Using an optical-trap/flow-control video microscopy technique, we followed transcription by single molecules of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase in real time over long template distances. These studies reveal that RNA polymerase molecules possess different intrinsic transcription rates and different propensities to pause and stop. The data also show that reversible pausing is a kinetic intermediate between normal elongation and the arrested state. The conformational metastability of RNA polymerase revealed by this single-molecule study of transcription has direct implications for the mechanisms of gene regulation in both bacteria and eukaryotes.
Structural Basis for Control of Bacterial RNA Polymerase Pausing by a Riboswitch and its Ligand
2021
Folding of nascent transcripts can be modulated by the proximal RNA polymerase (RNAP) that carries out their transcription, and vice versa. A pause of RNAP during transcription of a preQ1 riboswitch (que-ePEC) is stabilized by a previously characterized template consensus sequence and the ligand-free conformation of the nascent RNA. Ligand binding to the riboswitch induces RNAP pause release and downstream transcription termination, however, the mechanism by which riboswitch folding modulates pausing is unclear. Here, we report single-particle cryo-electron microscopy reconstructions of que-ePEC in ligand-free and ligand-bound states. In the absence of preQ1, the RNA transcript is in an unexpected hyper-translocated state, preventing downstream nucleotide incorporation. Strikingly, upon ligand binding the riboswitch rotates around its helical axis, expanding the surrounding RNAP exit channel and repositioning the transcript for elongation. Our study reveals the tight coupling by whi...
The Ribosome Holds the RNA Polymerase on Track in Bacteria
Trends in Biochemical Sciences, 2017
The central dogma of molecular biology comprises two fundamental mechanistic steps of gene expression (transcription and translation), which, in bacteria, are coupled. A recent study provides structural insights into a supercomplex between the RNA polymerase and the ribosome, thus highlighting the synergy between two key macromolecular machineries in the cell.
Opening and Closing of the Bacterial RNA Polymerase Clamp
2012
Abstract Using single-molecule fluorescence resonance energy transfer, we have defined bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) clamp conformation at each step in transcription initiation and elongation. We find that the clamp predominantly is open in free RNAP and early intermediates in transcription initiation but closes upon formation of a catalytically competent transcription initiation complex and remains closed during initial transcription and transcription elongation.
Crystal structure of bacterial RNA polymerase bound with a transcription inhibitor protein
2010
In bacteria, the binding of a single protein, the initiation factor j, to a multi-subunit RNA polymerase core enzyme results in the formation of a holoenzyme, the active form of RNA polymerase essential for transcription initiation. Here we report the crystal structure of a bacterial RNA polymerase holoenzyme from Thermus thermophilus at 2.6 Å resolution. In the structure, two aminoterminal domains of the j subunit form a V-shaped structure near the opening of the upstream DNA-binding channel of the active site cleft. The carboxy-terminal domain of j is near the outlet of the RNA-exit channel, about 57 Å from the N-terminal domains. The extended linker domain forms a hairpin protruding into the active site cleft, then stretching through the RNA-exit channel to connect the N-and C-terminal domains. The holoenzyme structure provides insight into the structural organization of transcription intermediate complexes and into the mechanism of transcription initiation.