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.
National Institute of Genetics, Mishima 411-8540, Japan.
Kumiko
K
Sakata-Sogawa
Nobuo
N
Shimamoto
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