RNA polymerase assembly in vitro. Temperature dependence of reactivation of denatured core enzyme

Monoclonal antibodies as probes of the topological arrangement of the alpha subunits of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase

Three monoclonal anti-alpha antibodies were used to study the properties of the alpha subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. None of the monoclonal antibodies inhibited the d(A-T)n-directed synthesis of r(A-U)n. Reassembly of the RNA polymerase core was blocked by mAb 129C4 or mAb 126C6 while no effect was observed with mAb 124D1. The conversion of premature to mature core was partially inhibited by mAb 129C4 and almost totally inhibited by mAb 126C6. The data suggest that during the course of core assembly at least one of the alpha subunits undergoes conformational changes. The increase in affinity of mAb 126C6 for assembled alpha compared with free alpha also implies that alpha undergoes conformational changes during RNA polymerase assembly. Double antibody binding studies showed that the epitopes for mAb 124D1 and mAb 129C4 are available on only one of the alpha subunits in RNA polymerase. It would appear that the relevant domain on one of the alpha subunits in RNA polymerase is well exposed whereas this domain on the second alpha subunit is shielded by interaction with regions of the large beta and beta' subunits. The alpha domain in which the epitope for mAb 126C6 resides is not impeded by subunit interactions in the RNA polymerase. The data obtained also suggest that in the holoenzyme the sigma subunit may be positioned close to one of the alpha subunits, probably to the more exposed alpha. The alpha beta complex is the minimal stable subassembly since one of the alpha subunits dissociates from the alpha 2 beta complex following binding of any of the monoclonal antibodies studied.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Impairment of the catalytic activity of Escherichia coli ribonucleic acid polymerase by a unique reaction of 4-chloro-7-nitrobenzofurazan

Escherichia coli RNA polymerase loses 55-65% of its catalytic activity on reaction with Nbf-Cl (4-choro-7-nitrobenzofurazan). This partial inactivation was shown to be the result of specific impairment of RNA-chain elongation, since initiation of RNA chains was not altered after treatment with Nbf-Cl. The site of reaction was shown to be a unique thiol on the beta-subunit. This thiol is not accessible to reaction with 5,5'-dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic acid). No protection of the enzyme against reaction with Nbf-Cl could be obtained with the inhibitor rifamycin nor with calf thymus DNA, GTP or 1,10-phenanthroline, indicating that the unique thiol is probably not within the active site. The specific impairment of RNA-chain elongation thus appears to be the result of a local conformational change which leaves chain initiation unimpaired. Changes observed in the tryptophan fluorescence spectrum of the enzyme or reaction with Nbf-Cl are consistent with formation of a Meisenheimer complex of the reagent with a nucleophilic group on the enzyme near the reactive thiol. It is proposed that formation of such a complex and a subsequent conformational change renders this thiol unusually susceptible to reaction with Nbf-Cl.

Purification and properties of the sigma subunit of Escherichia coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase

An improved purification procedure is described for the sigma subunit of escherichia coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase [ribonucleoside triphosphate:RNA nucleotidyl-transferase, EC 2.7.7.6]. The method involves chromatography of purified RNA polymerase on single-stranded DNA-agarose, Bio-Rex 70, and finally Ultragel AcA44. The sigma factor obtained is electrophoretically pure with a yield of about 40%. A number of the chemical--physical properties of sigma are presented. A molecular weight of 82,000 was determined by phosphate buffered sodium dodecyl sulfate--polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Ultraviolet absorption spectra were used to determine an E280nm 1% of 8.4. The amino acid composition and 12-residue N-terminal sequence (Met-Glx-Glx-Asx-Pro-Glx-(Ser or Cys)-Glx-Leu-Lys-Leu-Leu) of sigma have been determined. The isoelectric focusing properties of sigma are presented. Denaturation--renaturation studies indicate that sigma is capable of an unusually rapid and complete recovery of activity after being subjected to denaturing conditions. A stable, 40,000-dalton fragment is generated from sigma by mild trypsin treatment.

Structural properties of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase Subunits

1. The surface of the RNA-polymerase-DNA complex possesses an exposed polypeptide loop. 2. Proteinases with differing specificities (trypsin, chymotrypsin, subtilisin and clostripain) preferentially cleave the exposed region. 3. The cleaved polypeptide is reassembled into RNA polymerase by renaturation from a solvent which promotes a random coil conformation. 4. Isolated beta subunit has a proteolytically resistant nucleus of approximately 70000 molecular weight. This resistant polypeptide may be generated by trypsin, chymotrypsin, subiilisin or clostripain. 5. Isolated alpha subunits are comparatively resistant to proteolysis. 6. Although of similar molecular weights beta and beta' appear to have unrelated primary sequences and markedly different conformations in free solution. 7. Digestion of the beta subunit may be blocked by formation of the alpha2beta subassembly. 8. Evidence is presented suggesting that beta' in the intact enzyme (alpha2beta beta') possesses the exposed polypeptide loop.

Functional hybrid enzymes reconstituted from Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens RNA polymerase subunits

RNA polymerase was isolated from Escherichia coli and Serratia marcescens. The subunits of both enzymes were separated by electrophoresis on cellulose acetate sheets in the presence of urea. Under conditions favouring reconstitution of the RNA polymerases, stoichiometric amounts of the subunits were allowed to interact. Active hybrid enzymes were formed if corresponding subunits of both enzymes were mutually exchanged. The analysis of the RNA products synthesized showed that the reconstituted enzymes are able to recognize the promoters for transcription and the termination signals on the DNA template. The transcription products can serve as messengers for cell-free protein synthesis.