New Insights into the Functions of Transcription Factors that Bind the RNA Polymerase Secondary Channel

Biomolecules

Nikolay Zenkin¹  Yulia Yuzenkova¹  Sivaramesh Wigneshweraraj² 

[1] id="af1-biomolecules-05-01195">Center for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Baddiley-Clark Building, Richardson Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX,

关键词: RNA polymerase;    secondary channel;    transcription factors;    DksA;    Gre;    transcription fidelity;    transcription processivity;    transcription-replication conflicts;   

DOI  :  10.3390/biom5031195

来源: mdpi

【 摘 要 】

Transcription elongation is regulated at several different levels, including control by various accessory transcription elongation factors. A distinct group of these factors interacts with the RNA polymerase secondary channel, an opening at the enzyme surface that leads to its active center. Despite investigation for several years, the activities and in vivo roles of some of these factors remain obscure. Here, we review the recent progress in understanding the functions of the secondary channel binding factors in bacteria. In particular, we highlight the surprising role of global regulator DksA in fidelity of RNA synthesis and the resolution of RNA polymerase traffic jams by the Gre factor. These findings indicate a potential link between transcription fidelity and collisions of the transcription and replication machineries.

【 授权许可】

CC BY   
© 2015 by the authors; licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.