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Structure of the RNA polymerase core-binding domain of sigma(54) reveals a likely conformational fracture point.

ABSTRACT: Transcription initiation by bacterial sigma(54)-RNA polymerase requires a conformational change of the holopolymerase-DNA complex, driven by an enhancer-binding protein. Although structures of the core polymerase and the more common sigma(70) factor have been determined, little is known about the structure of the sigma(54) variant. We report here the structure of an Aquifex aeolicus sigma(54) domain (residues 69-198), which binds core RNA polymerase. The structure is composed of two distinct subdomains held together by a small, conserved hydrophobic interface that appears to act as a fracture point in the structure. The N-terminal, four-helical subdomain has a negative surface and conserved residues that likely contact the core polymerase, while the C-terminal, three-helical bundle has a strongly positive patch that could contact DNA. Sequence conservation indicates that these structural features are conserved and are important for the role of sigma(54) in the polymerase complex.

SUBMITTER: Hong E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3195411 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Structure of the RNA polymerase core-binding domain of sigma(54) reveals a likely conformational fracture point.

Hong Eunmi E Doucleff Michaeleen M Wemmer David E DE

Journal of molecular biology 20090505 1

Transcription initiation by bacterial sigma(54)-RNA polymerase requires a conformational change of the holopolymerase-DNA complex, driven by an enhancer-binding protein. Although structures of the core polymerase and the more common sigma(70) factor have been determined, little is known about the structure of the sigma(54) variant. We report here the structure of an Aquifex aeolicus sigma(54) domain (residues 69-198), which binds core RNA polymerase. The structure is composed of two distinct sub ...[more]

PMID: 19426742

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Project description:The canonical function of a bacterial sigma (σ) factor is to determine the gene specificity of the RNA polymerase (RNAP). In several diverse bacterial species, the σ54 factor uniquely confers distinct functional and regulatory properties on the RNAP. A hallmark feature of the σ54-RNAP is the obligatory requirement for an activator ATPase to allow transcription initiation. Different activator ATPases couple diverse environmental cues to the σ54-RNAP to mediate adaptive changes in gene expression. Hence, the genes that rely upon σ54 for their transcription have a wide range of different functions suggesting that the repertoire of functions performed by genes, directly or indirectly affected by σ54, is not yet exhaustive. By comparing the growth patterns of prototypical enteropathogenic, uropathogenic, and nonpathogenic Escherichia coli strains devoid of σ54, we uncovered that the absence of σ54 results in two differently sized colonies that appear at different times specifically in the uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strain. Notably, UPEC bacteria devoid of individual activator ATPases of the σ54-RNAP do not phenocopy the σ54 mutant strain. Thus, it seems that σ54's role as a determinant of uniform colony appearance in UPEC bacteria represents a putative non-canonical function of σ54 in regulating genetic information flow. IMPORTANCE RNA synthesis is the first step of gene expression. The multisubunit RNA polymerase (RNAP) is the central enzyme responsible for RNA synthesis in bacteria. The dissociable sigma (σ) factor subunit directs the RNAP to different sets of genes to allow their expression in response to various cellular needs. Of the seven σ factors in Escherichia coli and related bacteria, σ54 exists in a class of its own. This study has uncovered that σ54 is a determinant of the uniform growth of uropathogenic E. coli on solid media. This finding suggests a role for this σ54 in gene regulation that extends beyond its known function as an RNAP gene specificity factor.

Dataset Information

Structure of the RNA polymerase core-binding domain of sigma(54) reveals a likely conformational fracture point.

Publications

Structure of the RNA polymerase core-binding domain of sigma(54) reveals a likely conformational fracture point.

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