Chapter 6: Mechanism of Prokaryotic Transcription Flashcards
elongation model 1
DNA polymerase moves around the DNA template and wraps RNA around the template that would prevent DNA twisting or supercoiling
ID’d 4 key regions of sigma protein involved in core and DNA binding
Helmann & Chamberlin
binds strongly to DNA downstream of active site, helps orient enzyme, and provides strong DNA binding/sliding clamp with beta during elongation
Beta‘ subunit
discovered the Rho protein depresses RNA elongation but not initiation by studying phage DNA and RNA synthesis in vitro w/ GTP (initiation) and UTP (labels uracil)
J. Roberts et al.
- intrinsic (rho-independent)
simplest, don’t require external proteins, composed of inverted repeat in new RNA strandn (intramolecular base–pairing/hairpin loop) followed by T-rich region
- rho-dependent
Rho=protein, depresses RNA elongation by binding transcript 60-100 nt upstream of termination site (rho loading site)
Terminator: 2 kinds
virus composition
protein coat (capsid) and nucleic acid genome
Discovered 6-7 bp region in E. coli and phages 10bp upsteam of trasnscription start site called “-10 box” or Pribnow box (AT-rich)
David Pribnow
RNA polymerase alpha subunit
recognizes UP elements; 2 major domains separated by narrow linker
infectous particles with a genome; obligate intracellular parasites
Viruses
Sigma region 1
prevents sigma from binding DNA by itself
- close association between sigma & B/B’ subunits
- narrow channel requiring sigma to open the enzyme
- sigma loop controlling RNA transcript release & bond formation
crystal structure of *Thermus aquaticus *in 2002 revealed 3 keys features
elongation model 2
RNA polymerase moves in a straight line unwinding the DNA in front and behind of the enzyme creating a supercoiling strain on the DNA that is relaxed by topoisomerase
rho loading site
place where rho binds 60-100 nt upsteam of termination site
cytosine-rich
Rho becomes catalytically active after binding and moves along RNA to “catch” polymerase, where it releases RNA and polymerase
allows for strong association between polymerase & promoter, and strong transcription
RNA polymerase C-terminal domain (CTD)
RNA polymerase enzymes first ID’d in…
First ID’d in bacteria and their infections particles, bacteriophages (T4)
core polymerase
lacks sigma subunit; unable to transcribe DNA by itself
c/clam/clamp-shaped w/ catalytic center and channel for DNA
Requires viral DNA replication and viral proteins
blocked by: DNA or protein synthesis inhibitors
Time: 10-25min
Late phase
3 phases of viral transcription in prokaryotes
immediate early, delayed early, and late phase
-10 and -35 boxes; essential for gene expression
core promoter elements
DNA polymerase moves around the DNA template and wraps RNA around the template that would prevent DNA twisting or supercoiling
elongation model 1
small, RNA viruses
non-polio=2nd most common (10-15million/year)
Found in respiratory secretions, nasal mucus, and stool
Enteroviruses
Heil & Zillig
used a reconstitution assay & antibiotics rifampin and streptolydigin to block transcription and elongation, respectively
4 steps of transcription initiation
- formation of the closed promoter complex
- coversion of closed to open complex
- synthesis of the first several nucleotides
- promoter clearance & nucleotide stabilization/hybridization that allows the polymerase complex to shift to an elongation confirmation & loss of sigma factor
Nadler et al
proposed 2 major sites of DNA interaction with RNA polymerase: downstream hydrophobic site & upstream electrostatic site
also demoed that B subunit binds near melting/catalytic site of polymerase
RPo (promoter open)
DNA slightly bent, promoter & template strand entered channel/catalytic center, associated with sigma region 2, rudder splits melted DNA and holds nontemplate strand apart
Sigma region 4
broken into 2 parts; 4.2 binds -35 box
demonstrated that the sigma subunit was the essential specificity factor for transcription
Observed that the holoenzyme of E. coli could transcribe viral (T4) immediate early genes, but not the core polymerase alone
Also demoed that holoenzyme could complete immediate early gene transcription of T4 and is highly specific, but that core enzyme lacked specificity & abnormally transcribed both DNA strands
Buatz et al.
Helmann & Chamberlin
ID’d 4 key regions of
David Pribnow
Discovered 6-7 bp region in E. coli and phages 10bp upsteam of trasnscription start site called “-10 box” or Pribnow box (AT-rich)
broken into 4 parts; 2.4 binds the -10 box
Sigma region 2