Escherichia coli RNA polymerase translocation is accompanied by periodic bending of the DNA.
RNA polymerase was halted in consecutive registers of RNA synthesis ranging from registers 11 to 68. Non-denaturing gel electrophoresis shows that the mobility of the complexes varies (up to 15%), indicating that halted complexes differ in their conformation. The electrophoretic mobility changes with an approximate 10-register periodicity. The change of the mobility can be attributed to relative changes of RNA polymerase-induced bending angle. We suggest that the periodicity of the bending angle reflects periodic changes of the conformation of the halted complexes that might have relevance for the translocation mechanism.
Zaychikov
E
E
Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie, Am Klopferspitz 18a, D82152 Martinsried, Germany.
Denissova
L
L
Guckenberger
R
R
Heumann
H
H
D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology*; D007536:Isomerism; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation; D011487:Protein Conformation; D012329:RNA, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D017384:Sequence Deletion; D013698:Templates, Genetic; D013997:Time Factors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D012329:RNA, Bacterial; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases