Mapping of sequences required for the translation of the β subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase

1997 ◽  
Vol 43 (9) ◽  
pp. 819-826
Author(s):  
Luciano Passador ◽  
Thomas Linn
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Translational Regulation ◽  
Rpob Gene ◽  
Β Subunit ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Lacz Fusions ◽  
Translational Start ◽  
Genetic Constructs ◽  
Expression Plasmids

Previous experiments using expression plasmids which overproduce the β and β′ subunits of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase suggested that regions considerably upstream of the start of the rpoB gene, which encodes the β subunit, are required for its efficient synthesis. To further delineate the required regions, a collection of genetic constructs that contained varying amounts of the region either upstream or downstream of the translational start of rpoB was assembled. Measurements of β and β′ synthesis and rpoB mRNA production from a series of rpoBC expression plasmids indicated that sequences extending more than 43 bp but less than 79 bp upstream of rpoB are required for the efficient translation of rpoB mRNA. This result was confirmed by β-galactosidase measurements from a series of rpoB-lacZ fusions that have the same set of end points upstream of rpoB as the expression plasmids. A second set of gene fusions containing differing amounts of the sequence distal to the start of rpoB fused in frame to lacZ revealed that more than 29 bp but less than 70 bp of rpoB was required for efficient translation.Key words: RNA polymerase, E. coli, translational regulation.

scholarly journals Association of ω with the C-Terminal Region of the β′ Subunit Is Essential for Assembly of RNA Polymerase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 200 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Chunyou Mao ◽  
Yan Zhu ◽  
Pei Lu ◽  
Lipeng Feng ◽  
Shiyun Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Essential Role ◽  
Β Subunit ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Core Enzyme ◽  
Loop Region

ABSTRACT The ω subunit is the smallest subunit of bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP). Although homologs of ω are essential in both eukaryotes and archaea, this subunit has been known to be dispensable for RNAP in Escherichia coli and in other bacteria. In this study, we characterized an indispensable role of the ω subunit in Mycobacterium tuberculosis . Unlike the well-studied E. coli RNAP, the M. tuberculosis RNAP core enzyme cannot be functionally assembled in the absence of the ω subunit. Importantly, substitution of M. tuberculosis ω with ω subunits from E. coli or Thermus thermophilus cannot restore the assembly of M. tuberculosis RNAP. Furthermore, by replacing different regions in M. tuberculosis ω with the corresponding regions from E. coli ω, we found a nonconserved loop region in M. tuberculosis ω essential for its function in RNAP assembly. From RNAP structures, we noticed that the location of the C-terminal region of the β′ subunit (β′CTD) in M. tuberculosis RNAP but not in E. coli or T. thermophilus RNAP is close to the ω loop region. Deletion of this β′CTD in M. tuberculosis RNAP destabilized the binding of M. tuberculosis ω on RNAP and compromised M. tuberculosis core assembly, suggesting that these two regions may function together to play a role in ω-dependent RNAP assembly in M. tuberculosis . Sequence alignment of the ω loop and the β′CTD regions suggests that the essential role of ω is probably restricted to mycobacteria. Together, our study characterized an essential role of M. tuberculosis ω and highlighted the importance of the ω loop region in M. tuberculosis RNAP assembly. IMPORTANCE DNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RNAP), which consists of a multisubunit core enzyme (α 2 ββ′ω) and a dissociable σ subunit, is the only enzyme in charge of transcription in bacteria. As the smallest subunit, the roles of ω remain the least well studied. In Escherichia coli and some other bacteria, the ω subunit is known to be nonessential for RNAP. In this study, we revealed an essential role of the ω subunit for RNAP assembly in the human pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis , and a mycobacterium-specific ω loop that plays a role in this function was also characterized. Our study provides fresh insights for further characterizing the roles of bacterial ω subunit.

scholarly journals A Mutation within the β Subunit of Escherichia coli RNA Polymerase Impairs Transcription from Bacteriophage T4 Middle Promoters

2010 ◽  
Vol 192 (21) ◽  
pp. 5580-5587 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara D. James ◽  
Michael Cashel ◽  
Deborah M. Hinton
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Bacteriophage T4 ◽  
Β Subunit ◽  
Subunit Gene ◽  
Wild Type ◽  
Promoter Activation ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Growth Phenotype

ABSTRACT During infection of Escherichia coli, bacteriophage T4 usurps the host transcriptional machinery, redirecting it to the expression of early, middle, and late phage genes. Middle genes, whose expression begins about 1 min postinfection, are transcribed both from the extension of early RNA into middle genes and by the activation of T4 middle promoters. Middle-promoter activation requires the T4 transcriptional activator MotA and coactivator AsiA, which are known to interact with σ70, the specificity subunit of RNA polymerase. T4 motA amber [motA(Am)] or asiA(Am) phage grows poorly in wild-type E. coli. However, previous work has found that T4 motA(Am)does not grow in the E. coli mutant strain TabG. We show here that the RNA polymerase in TabG contains two mutations within its β-subunit gene: rpoB(E835K) and rpoB(G1249D). We find that the G1249D mutation is responsible for restricting the growth of either T4 motA(Am)or asiA(Am) and for impairing transcription from MotA/AsiA-activated middle promoters in vivo. With one exception, transcription from tested T4 early promoters is either unaffected or, in some cases, even increases, and there is no significant growth phenotype for the rpoB(E835K G1249D) strain in the absence of T4 infection. In reported structures of thermophilic RNA polymerase, the G1249 residue is located immediately adjacent to a hydrophobic pocket, called the switch 3 loop. This loop is thought to aid in the separation of the RNA from the DNA-RNA hybrid as RNA enters the RNA exit channel. Our results suggest that the presence of MotA and AsiA may impair the function of this loop or that this portion of the β subunit may influence interactions among MotA, AsiA, and RNA polymerase.

scholarly journals Escherichia coli mutations that prevent the action of the T4 unf/alc protein map in an RNA polymerase gene.

Genetics ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 118 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-180
Author(s):  
L Snyder ◽  
L Jorissen
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Bacteriophage T4 ◽  
Strong Support ◽  
Rpob Gene ◽  
Late Gene Expression ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
E Coli ◽  
A Subunit ◽  
Phage Production

Abstract Bacteriophage T4 has the substituted base hydroxymethylcytosine in its DNA and presumably shuts off host transcription by specifically blocking transcription of cytosine-containing DNA. When T4 incorporates cytosine into its own DNA, the shutoff mechanism is directed back at T4, blocking its late gene expression and phage production. Mutations which permit T4 multiplication with cytosine DNA should be in genes required for host shutoff. The only such mutations characterized thus far have been in the phage unf/alc gene. The product of this gene is also required for the unfolding of the host nucleoid after infection, hence its dual name unf/alc. As part of our investigation of the mechanism of action of unf/alc, we have isolated Escherichia coli mutants which propagate cytosine T4 even if the phage are genotypically alc+. These same E. coli mutants are delayed in the T4-induced unfolding of their nucleoid, lending strong support to the conclusion that blocking transcription and unfolding the host nucleoid are but different manifestations of the same activity. We have mapped two of the mutations, called paf mutations for prevent alc function. They both map at about 90 min, probably in the rpoB gene encoding a subunit of RNA polymerase. From the behavior of Paf mutants, we hypothesize that the unf/alc gene product of T4 interacts somehow with the host RNA polymerase to block transcription of cytosine DNA and unfold the host nucleoid.

scholarly journals Different Rifampin Sensitivities of Escherichia coli and Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNA Polymerases Are Not Explained by the Difference in the β-Subunit Rifampin Regions I and II

2005 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 1587-1590 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Zenkin ◽  
A. Kulbachinskiy ◽  
I. Bass ◽  
V. Nikiforov
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Amino Acids ◽  
Mycobacterium Tuberculosis ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Amino Acid Sequence ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Β Subunit ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Increased Sensitivity ◽  
The Difference

ABSTRACT Mycobacterium tuberculosis RNA polymerase is 1,000-fold more sensitive to rifampin than Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. Chimeric E. coli RNA polymerase in which the β-subunit segment encompassing rifampin regions I and II (amino acids [aa] 463 through 590) was replaced with the corresponding region from M. tuberculosis (aa 382 through 509) did not show an increased sensitivity to the antibiotic. Thus, the difference in amino acid sequence between the rifampin regions I and II of the two species does not account for the difference in rifampin sensitivity of the two polymerases.

scholarly journals Pea chloroplast DNA encodes homologues of Escherichia coli ribosomal subunit S2 and the β'-subunit of RNA polymerase

1986 ◽  
Vol 236 (2) ◽  
pp. 453-460 ◽  
Author(s):  
A L Cozens ◽  
J E Walker
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Nucleotide Sequence ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Atp Synthase ◽  
Ribosomal Subunit ◽  
Beta Subunit ◽  
Β Subunit ◽  
Membrane Domain ◽  
Gene Encoding ◽  
E Coli

The nucleotide sequence has been determined of a segment of 4680 bases of the pea chloroplast genome. It adjoins a sequence described elsewhere that encodes subunits of the F0 membrane domain of the ATP-synthase complex. The sequence contains a potential gene encoding a protein which is strongly related to the S2 polypeptide of Escherichia coli ribosomes. It also encodes an incomplete protein which contains segments that are homologous to the beta'-subunit of E. coli RNA polymerase and to yeast RNA polymerases II and III.

A mutation in the RNA polymerase β′ subunit causing depressed ribosomal RNA synthesis in Escherichia coli

1981 ◽  
Vol 183 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben A. Oostra ◽  
Klaas Kok ◽  
Adri J. Van Vliet ◽  
AB Geert ◽  
Max Gruber
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Ribosomal Rna ◽  
Rna Synthesis ◽  
Β Subunit

scholarly journals Biophysical Properties of Escherichia coli Cytoplasm in Stationary Phase by Superresolution Fluorescence Microscopy

mBio ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanyu Zhu ◽  
Mainak Mustafi ◽  
James C. Weisshaar
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Fluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Rna Polymerase ◽  
Stationary Phase ◽  
Exponential Growth ◽  
Mean Square Displacement ◽  
Quiescent State ◽  
Chromosomal Dna ◽  
Content Type ◽  
E Coli

ABSTRACT In nature, bacteria must survive long periods of nutrient deprivation while maintaining the ability to recover and grow when conditions improve. This quiescent state is called stationary phase. The biochemistry of Escherichia coli in stationary phase is reasonably well understood. Much less is known about the biophysical state of the cytoplasm. Earlier studies of harvested nucleoids concluded that the stationary-phase nucleoid is “compacted” or “supercompacted,” and there are suggestions that the cytoplasm is “glass-like.” Nevertheless, stationary-phase bacteria support active transcription and translation. Here, we present results of a quantitative superresolution fluorescence study comparing the spatial distributions and diffusive properties of key components of the transcription-translation machinery in intact E. coli cells that were either maintained in 2-day stationary phase or undergoing moderately fast exponential growth. Stationary-phase cells are shorter and exhibit strong heterogeneity in cell length, nucleoid volume, and biopolymer diffusive properties. As in exponential growth, the nucleoid and ribosomes are strongly segregated. The chromosomal DNA is locally more rigid in stationary phase. The population-weighted average of diffusion coefficients estimated from mean-square displacement plots is 2-fold higher in stationary phase for both RNA polymerase (RNAP) and ribosomal species. The average DNA density is roughly twice as high as that in cells undergoing slow exponential growth. The data indicate that the stationary-phase nucleoid is permeable to RNAP and suggest that it is permeable to ribosomal subunits. There appears to be no need to postulate migration of actively transcribed genes to the nucleoid periphery. IMPORTANCE Bacteria in nature usually lack sufficient nutrients to enable growth and replication. Such starved bacteria adapt into a quiescent state known as the stationary phase. The chromosomal DNA is protected against oxidative damage, and ribosomes are stored in a dimeric structure impervious to digestion. Stationary-phase bacteria can recover and grow quickly when better nutrient conditions arise. The biochemistry of stationary-phase E. coli is reasonably well understood. Here, we present results from a study of the biophysical state of starved E. coli. Superresolution fluorescence microscopy enables high-resolution location and tracking of a DNA locus and of single copies of RNA polymerase (the transcription machine) and ribosomes (the translation machine) in intact E. coli cells maintained in stationary phase. Evidently, the chromosomal DNA remains sufficiently permeable to enable transcription and translation to occur. This description contrasts with the usual picture of a rigid stationary-phase cytoplasm with highly condensed DNA.

scholarly journals Overexpression of Trigger Factor Prevents Aggregation of Recombinant Proteins in Escherichia coli

2000 ◽  
Vol 66 (3) ◽  
pp. 884-889 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kazuyo Nishihara ◽  
Masaaki Kanemori ◽  
Hideki Yanagi ◽  
Takashi Yura
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Recombinant Proteins ◽  
Protein Production ◽  
Trigger Factor ◽  
Human Lysozyme ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Constructed Plasmids ◽  
Expression Plasmids

ABSTRACT To examine the effects of overexpression of trigger factor (TF) on recombinant proteins produced in Escherichia coli, we constructed plasmids that permitted controlled expression of TF alone or together with the GroEL-GroES chaperones. The following three proteins that are prone to aggregation were tested as targets: mouse endostatin, human oxygen-regulated protein ORP150, and human lysozyme. The results revealed that TF overexpression had marked effects on the production of these proteins in soluble forms, presumably through facilitating correct folding. Whereas overexpression of TF alone was sufficient to prevent aggregation of endostatin, overexpression of TF together with GroEL-GroES was more effective for ORP150 and lysozyme, suggesting that TF and GroEL-GroES play synergistic roles in vivo. Although coexpression of the DnaK-DnaJ-GrpE chaperones was also effective for endostatin and ORP150, coexpression of TF and GroEL-GroES was more effective for lysozyme. These results attest to the usefulness of the present expression plasmids for improving protein production inE. coli.

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