ABSTRACT
This Reflections article is focused on the 5 years while I was a graduate student (1964-1969). During this period, I made some of the most significant discoveries of my career. I have written this article primarily for a protein biochemistry audience, my colleagues who shared this exciting time in science, and the many scientists over the last 50 years who have contributed to our knowledge of transcriptional machinery and their regulation. It is also written for today's graduate students, postdocs, and scientists who may not know much about the discoveries and technical advances that are now taken for granted, to show that even with methods primitive by today's standards, we were still able to make foundational advances. I also hope to provide a glimpse into how fortunate I was to be a graduate student over 50 years ago in the golden age of molecular biology.
Subject(s)
DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases , Escherichia coli Proteins , Escherichia coli , Molecular Biology/history , Sigma Factor , DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/genetics , DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/history , DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/metabolism , Escherichia coli/genetics , Escherichia coli/metabolism , Escherichia coli Proteins/genetics , Escherichia coli Proteins/history , Escherichia coli Proteins/metabolism , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Humans , Portraits as Topic , Sigma Factor/genetics , Sigma Factor/history , Sigma Factor/metabolismABSTRACT
This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the three eukaryotic RNA polymerases. Ever since this seminal event in 1969, researchers have investigated the intricate mechanisms of gene transcription with great dedication. The transcription field continues to influence developmental, stem cell, and cancer biology.
Subject(s)
DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/genetics , Eukaryota/genetics , Transcription, Genetic , DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/history , History, 20th Century , Humans , Transcription Factors/geneticsSubject(s)
Biochemistry/history , DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/history , History, 20th Century , London , Respiration , Sweden , United StatesSubject(s)
DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/history , Multigene Family/genetics , Receptors, Retinoic Acid/history , Retinoid X Receptor alpha/history , Transcription, Genetic/physiology , DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases/chemistry , History, 20th Century , History, 21st Century , Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics , Receptors, Estrogen/chemistry , Receptors, Retinoic Acid/chemistry , Retinoid X Receptor alpha/chemistry , Retinoic Acid Receptor gammaABSTRACT
The study of RNA polymerase initiated by R.B. Khesin is conducted for about forty years at the laboratory founded by him (since 1989, in collaboration with A. Goldfarb's laboratory). Genetic methods are used in combination with methods of the specific chemical crosslinks of nucleic acids with proteins. The paper assesses the main results of the study in comparison with the X-ray crystallographic data of high resolution obtained recently. A short comparative summary of the RNA polymerase structure has been done for bacteria, archaebacteria, and eukaryotic organelles and nuclei. A brief history of the RNA polymerase study is also presented.
