Real-time observation of polymerase-promoter contact remodeling during transcription initiation

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01041-1
• Publication Date: 2017-10-23T22:26:01Z
• Authors: Cong A. Meng; Furqan M. Fazal; Steven M. Block
• Keywords: Transcription; RNA polymerase II; Abortive initiation

Critical contacts made between the RNA polymerase (RNAP) holoenzyme and promoter DNA modulate not only strength of binding, but also frequency timing escape during transcription. Here, we describe a single-molecule optical-trapping assay to study transcription initiation in real time, use it map formed σ70 RNAP from E. coli T7A1 promoter, as well observe remodeling those transition elongation phase. The strong binding identified certain well-known regions, such -35 -10 elements, do necessarily coincide with most highly conserved portions these sequences. Strong within spacer region (-10 -35) element are essential for escape, respectively, releases elements non-sequential fashion escape.