title: Structure-based analysis of RNA polymerase function: the largest subunit's rudder contributes critically to elongation complex stability and is not involved in the maintenance of RNA-DNA hybrid length.
abstract: Analysis of multisubunit RNA polymerase (RNAP) structures revealed several elements that may constitute the enzyme's functional sites. One such element, the 'rudder', is formed by an evolutionarily conserved segment of the largest subunit of RNAP and contacts the nascent RNA at the upstream edge of the RNA-DNA hybrid, where the DNA template strand separates from the RNA transcript and re-anneals with the non-template strand. Thus, the rudder could (i) maintain the correct length of the RNA-DNA hybrid; (ii) stabilize the nascent RNA in the complex; and (iii) promote or maintain localized DNA melting at the upstream edge of the bubble. We generated a recombinant RNAP mutant that lacked the rudder and studied its properties in vitro. Our results demonstrate that the rudder is not required for establishment of the upstream boundary of the transcription bubble during promoter complex formation, nor is it required for separation of the nascent RNA from the DNA template strand or transcription termination. Our results suggest that the rudder makes critical contributions to elongation complex stability through direct interactions with the nascent RNA.
authors.affiliation: Waksman Institute, Rutgers, The State University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
authors.forename: Konstantin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kuznedelov
authors.forename: Nataliya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Korzheva
authors.forename: Arkady
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mustaev
authors.forename: Konstantin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Severinov
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D020137:Base Pair Mismatch; D004247:DNA; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016296:Mutagenesis; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D010441:Peptide Chain Elongation, Translational; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary; D012313:RNA; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013329:Structure-Activity Relationship; D013698:Templates, Genetic; D013824:Thermus / Q000201:enzymology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D012313:RNA; D004247:DNA; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases