RNA polymerase can track a DNA groove during promoter search.
Many proteins select special DNA sequences to form functional complexes. In one possible mechanism, protein molecules would scan DNA sequences by tracking a groove without complete dissociation. Upon dragging single molecules of DNA over a surface carrying fixed Escherichia coli RNA polymerase holoenzyme, we detected rotation of individual DNA molecules, providing direct evidence that a DNA-binding protein can track a DNA groove. These results confirm our previous observations of longitudinal movement of RNA polymerase along fixed, extended DNA and, moreover, imply that groove tracking facilitates scanning of DNA sequences.
Sakata-Sogawa
Kumiko
K
National Institute of Genetics, Mishima 411-8540, Japan.
Shimamoto
Nobuo
N
D001665:Binding Sites; D004247:DNA / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D007700:Kinetics; D008958:Models, Molecular; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic / Q000235:genetics*
D004279:DNA, Viral; D004247:DNA; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases