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Genetic studies on the beta subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. VI. A redundant region in the beta polypeptide.

A single species of RNA polymerase is responsible for the transcription of genetic material in Escherichia coli; and, each component of this essential enzyme is encoded by a single gene. Nevertheless, we report the characterisation of a viable deletion mutant lacking about 165 bp in the region coding for residues 965 to 1143 of the beta subunit of this enzyme. The foreshortened beta polypeptide appears to function as normal, suggesting that this region is, in fact, non-essential with regard to the usual functions of E. coli RNA polymerase.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Interactions of a proteolytically nicked RNA polymerase of bacteriophage T7 with its promoter.

The association of nicked RNA polymerase of bacteriophage T7 (Ikeda, R. A., and Richardson, C. C. (1987) J. Biol. Chem. 262, 3790-3799) with the T7 phi 10 promoter has been examined by DNA cleavage protection. The phi 10 promoter consists of a 23-base pair consensus sequence that extends from -17 to +6 with respect to the site of the initiation of transcription (+1). Nicked T7 RNA polymerase alone protects 20 bases from -21 to -2 (+/- 1) base at each border. Initiation and synthesis of the trinucleotide r(GGG) expands and shifts the sequence protected by nicked T7 RNA polymerase. Twenty-five bases are protected from -17 to +8 (+/- 1). The polymerization of three additional ribonucleotides, synthesis of the hexamer r(GGGAGA), further expands the protected sequence. Twenty-seven bases are protected from -17-+10 (+/- 1). Finally, the synthesis of a pentadecaribonucleotide transcript, r(GGGAGACCACGG), leads to the formation of a transcription complex that protects 22 bases from -2-+20 (+/- 1). In comparison to the sequences protected by T7 RNA polymerase the sequences protected by the nicked enzyme are shortened at the 5' end and are translocated downstream much earlier during the initiation of transcription. It appears that a portion of the DNA contacts made at the amino terminus of T7 RNA polymerase are disrupted in the small fragment of nicked T7 RNA polymerase. The changes that are observed in the sequences protected by nicked T7 RNA polymerase are reflected in the physical characteristics of the DNA X enzyme complexes. The number of ion pairs formed by the r(GGG)-initiated complex of the nicked enzyme is reduced, and the association constant for the formation of the r(GGG)-initiated complex is decreased as compared to the intact T7 RNA polymerase.

Base Sequence↗

Reprogramming of nucleolar gene expression during the acclimatization of the carp.

During seasonal acclimatization of eurythermal fish, the nucleolus of the hepatocyte undergoes ultrastructural reprogramming. In winter acclimatized carp, the nucleolar components are segregated, a condition that suggests a decreased transcription of rRNA. The same nucleolar reorganization was observed when pituitary cells from winter- and summer-acclimatized carp were examined. In situ analyses of nucleolar RNA revealed a marked lowering of RNA content in the segregated nucleoli. Accordingly, in vitro synthesis of RNA was shown to be significantly lower in pituitary tissue from cold-acclimatized fish where precursor accumulated. Conversely, in pituitary tissue from summer-adapted fish the rate and extent of synthesis and of rRNA processing was notably higher. The involvement of pre-rRNA processing events during seasonal acclimatization was corroborated by the strong differences of U3 RNA content detected by in situ hybridization in pituitary cells from summer- and winter-fish. When RNA polymerase I activity from both acclimatized states were assayed, no differences were detected. Thus, it appears that in fish RNA polymerase I itself does not play an important role in the control of nucleolar gene expression and the nucleolar gene expression reprogramming that the seasonal rearrangement represents might involve, among the many nucleolar-specific proteins, transcription factors.

Acclimatization↗

Genetic relatedness within the genus Campylobacter inferred from rpoB sequences.

The genus Campylobacter comprises 17 species, some of which are important animal and human pathogens. To gain more insight into the genetic relatedness of this genus and to improve the molecular tools available for diagnosis, a universal sequencing approach was established for the gene encoding the beta-subunit of RNA polymerase (rpoB) for the genus Campylobacter. A total of 59 strains, including the type strains of currently recognized species as well as field isolates, were investigated in the study. A primer set specific for Campylobacter species enabled straightforward amplification and sequencing of a 530 bp fragment of the rpoB gene. The 16S rRNA gene sequences of all of the strains were determined in parallel. A good congruence was obtained between 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequence-based trees within the genus Campylobacter. The branching of the rpoB tree was similar to that of the 16S rRNA gene tree, even though a few discrepancies were observed for certain species. The resolution of the rpoB gene within the genus Campylobacter was generally much higher than that of the 16S rRNA gene sequence, resulting in a clear separation of most species and even some subspecies. The universally applicable amplification and sequencing approach for partial rpoB gene sequence determination provides a powerful tool for DNA sequence-based discrimination of Campylobacter species.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase. 19F-nuclear magnetic resonance observations at 5-fluorouracil-substituted promoter DNA and RNA transcript.

We have substituted 5-fluorodeoxyuridine (5-FdU) in place of thymidine in defined positions along synthetic bacteriophage T7 promoter DNA sequences. None of the fluoro-substitutions in the promoter DNA sequence reduced transcription yields with T7 RNA polymerase significantly. Substitutions on the coding template strand reduced transcription yields when placed at +3, but not at +4. 19F-n.m.r. spectra from transcription reactions and gel analysis of transcription products show that T7 RNA polymerase correctly and efficiently utilizes 5-FUTP as a RNA substrate analog. The fluorine atom provides a sensitive probe for monitoring the local environment, base sequence and solvent exposure at the DNA major groove through its 19F-n.m.r. resonance. Buffer dependencies of the fluorine chemical shift and digestion patterns with DNase I suggest that the T7 promoter base-pairs near the transcription start site are distorted with a more open minor groove and less solvent accessible major groove. Previous chemical footprinting data of promoter-polymerase complexes yield a picture that T7 RNA polymerase recognizes major groove features in the region from positions -7 to -11 and minor groove features on the same side of DNA flanking both sides of this region. Consistent with this, 19F-n.m.r. observations identify two additional positions, -8 and -17, involved in promoter recognition on this side of the DNA helix. On the other hand, our observations also implicate the opposite side of the DNA helix, primarily at positions -14 and -15, as major groove recognition sites for T7 RNA polymerase. In addition, n.m.r. spectra from 5-FdU-substituted base-pairs -2 and -3, suggest either additional interactions on the same side of the DNA helix as -14 and -15, or distortions in the DNA structure.

Bacteriophage T7↗

A cis-acting sequence within the rat ribosomal DNA enhancer region can modulate RNA polymerase II-directed transcription of the metallothionein I gene in vitro.

Plasmids were constructed by inserting a 557-bp or 174-bp spacer fragment of rat ribosomal (r)DNA containing an enhancer element(s) at -148 bp upstream from a cloned mouse metallothionein gene (pMT-I). Transcription of these plasmids in a fractionated nuclear extract from a rat hepatoma resulted in 5 to 20-fold stimulation of MT-I gene transcription. This enhancement occurred independent of orientation of the enhancer or its distance from the metallothionein gene promoter or in the presence of the MT-I gene enhancer, and was sensitive to low levels of alpha-amanitin. Stimulation of MT-I gene transcription under the direction of the rDNA spacer element also occurred in HeLa nuclear extract, albeit to a smaller extent. Prior incubation of the nuclear extract with the 557-bp or 174-bp fragment resulted in as much as 5- to 10-fold stimulation of MT-I gene transcription. No significant effect on MT-I gene transcription was observed following preincubation with other DNAs. Preincubation of the extract with three subfragments of the 174-bp spacer inhibited MT-I gene transcription, which suggests that the majority of the 174-bp domain is required for binding to the negative regulatory factor(s) for MT-I gene transcription and that the subfragments can only interact with the positive core promoter-binding factor. The 37-bp subfragment, which has been shown to interact with a positive rDNA trans-acting factor, could also interact with a positive polymerase II (pol II) trans-acting factor. These studies have demonstrated that the 174-bp rat rDNA spacer element containing the pol I enhancer can also modulate pol II-directed transcription.

Animals↗

Primary structure and functional aspects of the gene coding for the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase III of Drosophila.

We have cloned and sequenced the gene coding for the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase III of Drosophila melanogaster (DmRP135). The gene, interrupted by two introns of 62 and 59 bp, respectively, codes for an mRNA of 3.6 kb. As for other housekeeping genes transcription initiates at several sites (between positions -98 and -76) none of which is preceded by a clear TATA sequence. The deduced polypeptide consists of 1129 amino acids with an aggregate molecular weight of 128 kDa. The protein sequence features the same regions of similarity as observed for the corresponding subunits of RNA polymerase II of Drosophila and yeast and the Escherichia coli beta subunit. As in the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase II there is a zinc-binding motif which is absent in the beta subunit of E. coli. Antibodies directed against a fusion protein expressing 164 amino acids of the DmRP135 polypeptide cross-react with the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase III of yeast and generate a distinct banding pattern on Drosophila polytene chromosomes distinguishable from that obtained with anti-RNA polymerase II antibodies.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Engineering of the rpl23 gene cluster to replace the plastid RNA polymerase alpha subunit with the Escherichia coli homologue.

The Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (RNAP) alpha, beta, and beta' core subunits are evolutionarily conserved among bacteria and plastids, and the plastid specificity factors form a functional holoenzyme with the E. coli core. To investigate whether the E. coli core subunits may form a functional hybrid enzyme with the plastid core subunits, we replaced the tobacco plastid RNAP alpha subunit gene (rpoA) with the E. coli alpha subunit gene by targeted gene insertion. The transplastomic tobacco plants look similar to tobacco rpoA deletion mutants in that they are chlorophyll-deficient and nonphotoautotrophic. In addition, they lack transcripts from promoters recognized by the E. coli-like plastid RNA polymerase. These results indicate that evolutionary conservation between the E. coli and plastid RNA polymerase alpha subunits is insufficient to allow substitution of the tobacco alpha subunit with its bacterial counterpart. Interestingly, the cyanobacterial alpha subunits are as different as the E. coli alpha subunits; and therefore it is unlikely that replacement of the tobacco alpha subunit with cyanobacterial alpha subunits would yield a functional enzyme. Replacement of plastid rpoA with the E. coli RNA polymerase alpha subunit gene represents the first engineering of a plastid operon in higher plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Controlling basal expression in an inducible T7 expression system by blocking the target T7 promoter with lac repressor.

Effects of placing a lac operator at different positions relative to a promoter for bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase were tested. Transcription can be strongly repressed by lac repressor bound to an operator centered 15 base-pairs downstream from the RNA start, but T7 RNA polymerase initiates transcription very actively from this T7lac promoter-operator combination in the absence of repressor, or in the presence of repressor plus inducer. Sequence changes in the transcribed region were found to make transcription from some T7 promoters, including the T7lac promoter, more sensitive to inhibition by T7 lysozyme. The pET-10 and pET-11 series of plasmid vectors have been constructed to allow target genes to be placed under control of the T7lac promoter and to be expressed in BL21(DE3) or HMS174(DE3), which carry an inducible gene for T7 RNA polymerase. These vectors carry a lacI gene that provides enough lac repressor to repress both the T7lac promoter in the multicopy vectors and the chromosomal gene for T7 RNA polymerase, which is controlled by the lacUV5 promoter. Very low basal expression of target genes is achieved, but the usual high levels of expression are obtained upon induction. Addition of T7 lysozyme can reduce basal expression even further and still allow high levels of expression upon induction. Genes that are very toxic to Escherichia coli can be maintained and expressed in this system.

Base Sequence↗

Regulation of spo0H, a gene coding for the Bacillus subtilis sigma H factor.

The Bacillus spo0H gene codes for sigma H, which, as part of the RNA polymerase holoenzyme E sigma H, is responsible for the transcription of several genes which are expressed at the beginning of the sporulation process. In this communication, we examined the regulation of the spo0H gene of Bacillus subtilis by using lacZ reporter gene assays, quantitative RNA determinations, and Western immunoassay. The expression of the spo0H gene increases as the culture enters the mid-logarithmic stage of growth. This increased expression requires the genes spo0A, spo0B, spo0E, and spo0F, and the requirement for at least spo0A and spo0B can be bypassed when the abrB gene is mutated. The expression of the spo0H gene is constitutive in the presence of the abrB mutation, being expressed at higher levels during vegetative growth. In addition, the sof-1 mutation, in the spo0A structural gene, can bypass the need for spo0F in spo0H expression. The transcriptional start site of spo0H was determined by using RNA made in vivo as well as in vitro. These studies indicate that spo0H is transcribed by the major vegetative RNA polymerase, E sigma A. spo0H RNA and sigma H levels during growth are not identical to each other or to the pattern of expression of spoVG, a gene transcribed by E sigma H. This suggests that spo0H is regulated posttranscriptionally and also that factors in addition to sigma H levels are involved in the expression of genes of the E sigma H regulon.

Bacillus subtilis↗

Structural analysis of templates and RNA polymerase III transcripts of Alu family sequences interspersed among the human beta-like globin genes.

Cloned DNA fragments form the human beta-like globin genomic region can be transcribed in vitro by RNA polymerase III. We have investigated the structure of two templates and their transcripts by DNA sequencing, size fractionation of ribonuclease T1 generated oligonucleotides, and ribonuclease H digestion of RNA : DNA duplexes. The data indicate the repetitive DNA sequences, members of the Alu family of interpersed 300 bp reiterated DNA, are imbedded in both templates. The RNAs transcribed from them are composed of an entire Alu family sequence at their 5' ends linked to 3' ends of non-repetitive sequence.

Base Sequence↗

Changes in conserved region 3 of Escherichia coli sigma 70 mediate ppGpp-dependent functions in vivo.

In Escherichia coli, deletion of relA and spoT results in an inability to synthesize ppGpp, guanosine-3',5'-bis(pyrophosphate), and a loss in the ability to grow on amino acid-free minimal media. Two spontaneous missense suppressor alleles, rpoD(P504L) and rpoD(S506F), able to confer complete prototrophy without the reappearance of ppGpp, were localized to that portion of rpoD coding for conserved region 3.1 of sigma 70. Characterization of these mutants revealed distinct physiological effects. Both mutations cause growth rate defects exacerbated in the presence of ppGpp and paralleled by reductions in rrnB P1-lacZ reporter gene expression, as if growth of these mutants is limited by rrn P1 promoter activity. Levels of ppGpp, as a function of growth rate, are lowered by a constant fraction (75%) in the rpoD(P504L) strain and by a decreasing fraction at lower growth rates in the rpoD(S506F) strain. Comparisons of rrnB P1-lacZ expression at different ppGpp levels is interpreted for the rpoD(P504L) mutant as resulting from a hypersensitivity to ppGpp. For the rpoD(S506F) mutant there is a normal sensitivity to ppGpp but the action of ppGpp is functionally mimicked; that is, a low intrinsic rrnB P1 promoter activity is manifested even in the absence of ppGpp. In addition to effects on rrnB P1 promoters, the accumulation of the stationary phase-specific sigma factor (sigma s), which is normally ppGpp-dependent, was assayed in the rpoD mutants and in one, rpoD(S506F), found to be restored in the absence of ppGpp. The behavior of these mutants thus seems consistent with a unitary effect of ppGpp on transcription resulting in both negative and positive regulation of gene expression. In addition, the cellular fraction of sigma 70 associated with holoenzyme appears reduced by both rpoD mutations as judged by comparison with wild-type and ppGpp-deficient strains. Interestingly, the amount of holoenzyme-associated sigma 70 was higher in the ppGpp-deficient than in the wild-type strain, possibly indicating that sigma 70-core RNA polymerase interactions are decreased by ppGpp.

Alleles↗

Assessment of sequence-based p53 gene analysis in human breast cancer: messenger RNA in comparison with genomic DNA targets.

The high prevalence of p53 mutations in human cancers and the suggestion from several groups that the presence or absence of p53 mutations might have both prognostic and therapeutic consequences point to the importance of optimal methods for p53 determination. Several strategies exploring this have been described, based either on mRNA or genomic DNA as a template. However, no comparative study on the reliability of the two templates has been performed. The principal aim of this study was to study the concordance of RNA- and DNA-based direct sequencing methods in detecting p53 mutations in breast tumors. In 100 tumors, 22 mutations were detected by both methods. Furthermore, one stop mutation, two splice-site mutations, and one intron alteration were found only by genomic sequencing. In addition, the comparative study suggests that cells with missense mutations have increased steady-state concentrations of p53-specific mRNA, in contrast to cells with a gene encoding a truncated protein.

Aneuploidy↗

RNA polymerase-cNMP-ligated cAMP receptor protein (CRP) mutant interactions in the enhancement of transcription by CRP mutants.

The enhancement of the transcription of three synthetic promoters by cNMP-ligated cAMP receptor protein (CRP)/mutant complexes was determined from the transcription yields of a short AAUU transcript in an abortive initiation in vitro transcription assay. The cNMP-ligated CRP and mutants were cAMP, cGMP, and cIMP ligated with CRP, T127L CRP, S128A CRP, and T127L/S128A CRP. The transcriptional activation of a 152-base pair lacUV5 promoter (synlac promoter) with a CRP consensus binding site sequence (syncon promoter) was enhanced by an average factor of 12.3 +/- 0.5 with the cAMP-ligated complexes of CRP/mutants and cGMP-ligated T127L, although their promoter binding site affinities varied by a factor of 5. However, in the presence of bound RNA polymerase, the binding affinities only ranged from 0.8 +/- 0.2 x 10(7) m(-)(1) for cAMP-ligated CRP* to 1.8 +/- 0. 3 x 10(7) m(-)(1) for cAMP-ligated CRP, indicating that the CRP/mutant interacts with the bound RNA polymerase, which would account for the near constancy of the enhancement factors. The corresponding enhancement factors for the synlac promoter and a promoter with a different CRP binding site sequence (syngal promoter) were also nearly the same, 7.2 +/- 0.7 and 6 +/- 1, respectively. The binding reaction of the syncon promoter to the RNA polymerase is exothermic, with a binding constant (K(b)) = 2.1 +/- 0. 2 x 10(7) m(-1).

Base Sequence↗

Identification of four conserved motifs among the RNA-dependent polymerase encoding elements.

Four consensus sequences are conserved with the same linear arrangement in RNA-dependent DNA polymerases encoded by retroid elements and in RNA-dependent RNA polymerases encoded by plus-, minus- and double-strand RNA viruses. One of these motifs corresponds to the YGDD span previously described by Kamer and Argos (1984). These consensus sequences altogether lead to 4 strictly and 18 conservatively maintained amino acids embedded in a large domain of 120 to 210 amino acids. As judged from secondary structure predictions, each of the 4 motifs, which may cooperate to form a well-ordered domain, places one invariant amino acid in or proximal to turn structures that may be crucial for their correct positioning in a catalytic process. We suggest that this domain may constitute a prerequisite 'polymerase module' implicated in template seating and polymerase activity. At the evolutionary level, the sequence similarities, gap distribution and distances between each motif strongly suggest that the ancestral polymerase module was encoded by an individual genetic element which was most closely related to the plus-strand RNA viruses and the non-viral retroposons. This polymerase module gene may have subsequently propagated in the viral kingdom by distinct gene set recombination events leading to the wide viral variety observed today.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Intrinsic transcript cleavage activity of RNA polymerase.

The GreA and GreB transcript cleavage factors of Escherichia coli suppress elongation arrest and may have a proofreading role in transcription. With the use of E. coli greA-greB- mutant, RNA polymerase is demonstrated to possess substantial intrinsic transcript cleavage activity. Mildly alkaline pH mimics the effect of the Gre proteins by inducing transcript cleavage in ternary complexes and antagonizing elongation arrest through a cleavage-and-restart reaction. Thus, transcript cleavage constitutes the second enzymological activity of RNA polymerase along with polymerization/pyrophosphorolysis of RNA, whereas the Gre proteins merely enhance this intrinsic property.

Bacterial Proteins↗

Structure and function of the spoIIIJ gene of Bacillus subtilis: a vegetatively expressed gene that is essential for sigma G activity at an intermediate stage of sporulation.

The spo-87 mutation is one of two sporulation mutations originally used to define the spo0J locus of Bacillus subtilis. We now show that it blocks sporulation after completion of prespore engulfment (stage III). Surprisingly, the operon is expressed vegetatively, probably from a sigma A-dependent promoter, and its expression is shut down at the transcriptional level at about the onset of sporulation. DNA sequencing reveals that the locus defined by spo-87, which we now designate spoIIIJ, consists of a bicistronic operon. However, only the first gene is essential for sporulation; the function of the second cistron is cryptic. The predicted SpoIIIJ product has an M(r) of 29,409. It probably forms a lipoprotein and is rich in basic and hydrophobic amino acids. Mutations in spoIIIJ abolish the transcription of prespore-specific genes transcribed by the sigma G form of RNA polymerase but not transcription of the spoIIIG gene encoding sigma G. The SpoIIIJ product could be involved in a signal transduction pathway coupling gene expression in the prespore to events in the mother cell, or it could be necessary for essential metabolic interactions between the two cells.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Protein P4 of double-stranded RNA bacteriophage phi 6 is accessible on the nucleocapsid surface: epitope mapping and orientation of the protein.

Protein P4, an early protein of double-stranded RNA bacteriophage phi 6, is a component of the virion-associated RNA polymerase complex and possesses a nucleoside triphosphate (NTP) phosphohydrolase activity. We have produced and characterized a panel of 20 P4-specific monoclonal antibodies. Epitope mapping using truncated molecules of recombinant P4 revealed seven linear epitopes. The accessibility of the epitopes on the phi 6 nucleocapsid (NC) surface showed that at least the C terminus and an internal domain, containing the consensus sequence for NTP binding, protrude the NC shell. Four of the NC-binding antibodies distorted the integrity of the NC by releasing protein P4 and the major NC surface protein P8. This finding suggests a close contact between these two proteins. The dissociation of the NC led to the activation of the virion-associated RNA polymerase. The multimeric status of the recombinant P4 was similar to that of the virion-associated P4, indicating that no accessory virus proteins are needed for its multimerization.

Amino Acid Sequence↗