Structural Basis of Transcription Initiation

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1227786
• Publication Date: 2012-10-20T00:50:06Z
• Authors: Yu Zhang; Yu Feng; Sujoy Chatterjee; Steve Tuske; Mary X. Ho; Eddy Arnold; Richard H. Ebright
• Keywords: Transcription bubble; Transcription; Thermus thermophilus; Abortive initiation; Coding strand

During transcription initiation, RNA polymerase (RNAP) binds and unwinds promoter DNA to form an RNAP-promoter open complex. We have determined crystal structures at 2.9 3.0 Å resolution of functional initiation complexes comprising Thermus thermophilus polymerase, σ(A), a fragment corresponding the bubble downstream double-stranded The show that σ recognizes -10 element discriminator through interactions include unstacking insertion into pockets three bases RNAP -4/+2 region pocket +2 base. further between template-strand single-stranded (ssDNA) preorganize ssDNA engage active center.