Chapter 17 - Prokaryotic Transcription Flashcards
Transcription proceeds in a … direction down a template strand that is oriented …
5’ to 3’
3’ to 5’
RNA polymerase
An enzyme that synthesizes a complementary RNA using a DNA template
Transcription unit
Stretch of DNA that codes for an RNA molecule and any sequences needed for transcription
RNA polymerase separates the two strands of DNA in a
transient transcription bubble
Bacterial RNA polymerase transcribes how many nucleotides per second
40-50
a single type of RNA polymerase produces what in bacteria
all RNA
holoenzyme
The form of RNA polymerase that is used to initiate transcription
holoenzyme contents
five subunits of the core polymerase and the sigma factor
RNA polymerase catalysis is derived from
the beta and beta prime subunits
the c-terminal domain in RNA polymerase
has the alpha subunits
is involved in stimulating transcription in prokaryotes
RNA polymerase has a general affinity for DNA because of
electrostatic interactions
The core polymerase can synthesize RNA, but cannot recognize
promotors
The sigma factor is used to initiate transcription at
specific sites
promotor strength
Efficiency of individual promoters in initiating transcription
Frequency of initiation varies from 1/sec to 1/30 minutes
first way RNAP finds promotors
Random diffusion and nonspecific binding to short sequences
Rapid dissociation of enzyme and repositioning
Very, very inefficient mechanism
second way RNAP finds promotors
Nonspecific binding to genome and then movement along genome to specific promoter(s)
Sliding
Intersegment transfer
Intradomain association and dissociation (hopping)
holoenzyme structure - initiation
- When the holoenzyme slides into a promoter it transitions to a closed binary complex
- If the sigma factor interacts strongly with the promoter, the holoenzyme transitions to an unstable open complex
- Several rNTPs are incorporated into the transcript, forming the ternary complex
- The RNAP transitions into a ternary elongation complex
a closed binary complex is
reversible
open complex
DNA duplex is bent 90° in order to place it into the active site
Promoter is denatured from -11 to +3 with assistance from sigma
Transcription bubble increases to 22-24 nt in length
Jaws close around downstream sequence
Transition to open state is irreversible
ternary complex
Additional rNTPs are added to the transcript while the RNAP remains tightly bound to the promoter
RNAP is not able to move down the template
RNAP pulls upstream DNA into the active site via a “scrunching” mechanism
Scrunching creates considerable stress that results in release of these short transcripts
Abortive initiation transcripts of 15-20 nucleotides
Energy of successive abortive initiation events is used to eventually break RNAP free from the promoter and transition to elongation
ternary elongation complex
Sigma factor is released
Bubble returns to 10-12 nt in length
RNAP coverts into the core enzyme
promoters are
cis-acting control elements
In a typical bacterial genome, a … bp sequence would be the minimum length required to have a unique recognition site
12
the sequence of the promotor does not need to be
contiguous
important conservation is localized in
short consensus sequences
promoter structure
- purine at transcription start site
- -10 element
- -35 element
- Space between the -10 and -35 elements
- base pairs between -10 and +1
- Extended -10 element
- UP element
the space between -10 and -35 elements
Is 16-18 bp in 90% of promoters
Sequence is unimportant
Determines the separation between interacting regions of RNA polymerase
Also determines the geometric orientation of DNA helix with respect to interactions with RNAP holoenzyme