Regulation of RNA polymerase through the secondary channel.
High-resolution crystal structures have highlighted functionally important regions in multisubunit RNA polymerases, including the secondary channel, or pore, which is postulated to allow the diffusion of small molecules both into and out of the active center of the enzyme. Recent work from several groups has illustrated how regulatory factors and small molecules can exploit the secondary channel to gain access to the active site and modify the transcription properties of RNA polymerase.
Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Harvard Medical School, 200 Longwood Avenue, Blg. D-1, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Bryce E
BE
Nickels
Ann
A
Hochschild
D020134:Catalytic Domain / Q000502:physiology; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000502:physiology*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000502:physiology*; D017434:Protein Structure, Tertiary / Q000502:physiology; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology; D035602:Transcriptional Elongation Factors / Q000502:physiology
D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C079668:GreA protein, E coli; C079667:GreB protein, E coli; D014157:Transcription Factors; D035602:Transcriptional Elongation Factors; C018648:transcription factor S-II; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases