Escherichia coli RNA polymerase translocation is accompanied by periodic bending of the DNA.

RNA polymerase was halted in consecutive registers of RNA synthesis ranging from registers 11 to 68. Non-denaturing gel electrophoresis shows that the mobility of the complexes varies (up to 15%), indicating that halted complexes differ in their conformation. The electrophoretic mobility changes with an approximate 10-register periodicity. The change of the mobility can be attributed to relative changes of RNA polymerase-induced bending angle. We suggest that the periodicity of the bending angle reflects periodic changes of the conformation of the halted complexes that might have relevance for the translocation mechanism.

Modular organization of the catalytic center of RNA polymerase.

The Fe2+ ion that specifically replaces Mg2+ in the active center of RNA polymerase generates reactive hydroxyl radicals that cause highly localized cleavage of polypeptide chains. Mapping of the cleavage sites revealed the overall architecture of the active center. Nine distinct sites, five in the beta subunit and four in the beta' subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase, all at or near highly conserved sequence motifs, are brought together in the enzyme's ternary structure within the distance of approximately 1 nm from the active center Me2+. These sites are located in at least six different domains of the subunits, reflecting modular organization of the active center.

Influence of Mg2+ and temperature on formation of the transcription bubble.

The transcription bubble formed in the binding complex of T7A1 promoter upon Escherichia coli RNA polymerase was analyzed by chemical probes, namely by single-strand specific reagents, to map the unpaired bases in the bubble, and by FeEDTA, to analyze the accessibility of the DNA backbone. The latter probe could also be used as a local hydroxyl radical probe placed close to the Mg2+-binding site in the active center. The data show that the transcription bubble consists of two parts, an Mg2+-dependent part and an Mg2+-independent part, both having individual transition temperatures. The data further suggest that formation of a transcription active open complex is preceded by a transition state complex having enhanced affinity for those Mg2+ ions presumably participating in the formation of the catalytic site. Our data also suggests that the three catalytically active Mg2+ ions in RNA polymerase are functionally not equivalent. One/two of the three Mg2+ ions are responsible for the polymerization, the other two/one for enlargement of the transcription bubble.

Mapping of catalytic residues in the RNA polymerase active center.

When the Mg2+ ion in the catalytic center of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (RNAP) is replaced with Fe2+, hydroxyl radicals are generated. In the promoter complex, such radicals cleave template DNA near the transcription start site, whereas the beta' subunit is cleaved at a conserved motif NADFDGD (Asn-Ala-Asp-Phe-Asp-Gly-Asp). Substitution of the three aspartate residues with alanine creates a dominant lethal mutation. The mutant RNAP is catalytically inactive but can bind promoters and form an open complex. The mutant fails to support Fe2+-induced cleavage of DNA or protein. Thus, the NAD-FDGD motif is involved in chelation of the active center Mg2+.

Translocation of the Escherichia coli transcription complex observed in the registers 11 to 20: "jumping" of RNA polymerase and asymmetric expansion and contraction of the "transcription bubble".

Translocation of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase along the DNA template during RNA synthesis encompasses continuous as well as discontinuous steps. This is demonstrated by chemical probing of transcription complexes stalled in consecutive registers of RNA synthesis at base positions +11, +12, +14, +16, +18, and +20. The "transcription bubble" translocates by continuous opening of the downstream edge in tandem with the growing RNA chain and discontinuous closing at the upstream edge after at least nine steps of RNA synthesis. The position of the enzyme remains unchanged during extension of the transcription bubble and "jumps" 10 bp downstream simultaneously with collapse of the transcription bubble.

Topology of the RNA polymerase active center probed by chimeric rifampicin-nucleotide compounds.

Spatial organization of the binding sites for the priming substrate, the template DNA, and the transcription inhibitor rifampicin (Rif) in Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.6) was probed with chimeric compounds in which Rif is covalently attached to a ribonucleotide. The compounds bind to RNA polymerase in bifunctional manner and serve as substrates for RNA chain extension, yielding chains up to 8 nucleotides in length, with Rif linked to their 5' termini. These products act as potent inhibitors of normal transcription. Using the linker between the two ligands as ruler, we determined the distance between the sites for Rif and the priming nucleotide to be approximately 15 A. A reactive side group placed in the linker next to Rif crosslinks to the template strand of DNA at the -2 or -3 position of the promoter. Thus, bound Rif is juxtaposed to DNA immediately upstream of the start site, suggesting that Rif plugs the channel leading RNA out of the active center.

Active center rearrangement in RNA polymerase initiation complex.

His1237 in the beta subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase marks the "5' face" of the active center since it can be cross-linked to the gamma-phosphate of the priming substrate. It is demonstrated that RNA chains up to 9 nucleotides in length can be synthesized using His1237-cross-linked nucleotide as a primer. Thus, a substantial mass of RNA can be accommodated in the active center between His1237 and the site of catalysis that remains juxtaposed to the growing 3' end. The apparent "filling" of the active center with RNA precedes promoter clearance and suggests a mechanism of coupling between catalysis and saltatory translocation of RNA polymerase.

Lys631 residue in the active site of the bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase. Affinity labeling and site-directed mutagenesis.

A highly selective affinity labeling of T7 RNA polymerase with the o-formylphenyl ester of GMP and [alpha-32P]UTP was carried out. The site of the labeling was located using limited cleavages with hydroxylamine, bromine, N-chlorosuccinimide and cyanogene bromide and was identified as the Lys631 residue. Site-directed mutagenesis using synthetic oligonucleotides was used to substitute Lys631 by a Gly, Leu or Arg residue. Kinetic studies of the purified mutant enzymes showed alterations of their polymerizing activity. For the Lys----Gly mutant enzyme, anomalous template binding was observed.

Identification of RNA replicase subunits responsible for initiation of RNA synthesis of tick-borne encephalitis virus by affinity labelling.

Porcine embryo kidney cells infected by tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) were fractionated into nuclear, membrane, and cytoplasmic fractions. To identify proteins involved in the initiation of RNA replication at different stages of infection a highly specific affinity labelling technique was used. In samples of the nuclear fraction taken from cells 45 h after infection (late stage), affinity labelling with aldehyde-containing derivatives of ATP and elongation of this label with [alpha-32P]GTP identified a polypeptide with a molecular mass of about 69 kDa. By means of affinity labelling with aldehyde-containing analogues of GMP, GDP, and GTP as initiation substrates and [alpha-32P]ATP as the elongation substrate, a polypeptide of 100 kDa was selectively modified in the nuclear fraction of cells at the early stages of infection (8 h). These proteins were immunostained with TBEV-specific antibodies, and were identified as the nonstructural TBEV proteins NS3 and NS5, respectively. It was concluded that NS3 and NS5 take part in the initiation of TBEV genome replication at the late and early stages of infection, respectively.

Mapping of the region of the tick-borne encephalitis virus replicase adjacent to initiating substrate binding center.

Affinity labelling with aldehyde-containing analogs of initiation substrates of nuclear fraction of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) infected cells results in a labelling of a single polypeptide with a molecular mass of 68 kDa which was immunologically identified as TBEV NS3 protein. A single-hit hydroxylamine hydrolysis, using limited and long-term CNBr cleavages allowed one to identify Lys1800 and/or Lys1803 as the label attachment sites. These amino acid residues are situated in the proximity of the 'B'-site of NTP-binding motif of viral RNA replicase.

Highly selective affinity labeling of the primer-binding site of E. coli DNA polymerase I.

Highly selective affinity labeling of the primer site of E. coli DNA polymerase I was performed with the 5'-reactive derivatives of oligothymidylate in the presence of poly(dA) template. Subtilysine cleavage proved that the site of affinity modification belonged to the 'Klenow' part of DNA polymerase I. If taken separately, Klenow fragment was not labeled by these oligonucleotide derivatives. The site of affinity labeling were tested in the structure of DNA polymerase I by hydroxylamine cleavage. At least two sites of labeling were revealed. The main one was localized between Gly-833 and His-928.

Mapping the active site of yeast RNA polymerase B (II).

Yeast RNA polymerase B (II) was incubated with a collection of 13 different nucleotide derivatives and affinity labeled by allowing DNA-directed phosphodiester bond formation. The 32P-labeled site was localized in the C-terminal part of the B150 subunit by microsequencing a proteolytic fragment, then further mapped by a combination of extensive or single-hit chemical cleavage reactions and analysis of the labeled peptide patterns. The affinity label was mapped to between Asn946 and Met999, within one of the nine regions that are conserved between B150 and the bacterial beta subunit. The results underscore the conservative evolution of the catalytic center of eukaryotic and bacterial RNA polymerases.

Localisation of the binding site for the initiating substrate on the RNA polymerase from Sulfolobus acidocaldarius.

RNA polymerase from the archaebacterium Sulfolobus acidocaldarius was chemically modified with AMP o-formylphenyl ester followed by reduction with borohydride. The modified protein catalyzes the labeling of its own largest subunit when incubated with [alpha-33P]UTP in the presence of poly[d(A-T)]. On cleaving of the labeled protein using cyanogen bromide, hydroxylamine or amino acid-specific endoproteinases for a very brief period, the pattern and size of the radioactive fragments formed are best explained by attachment of the label between Gly843 and Met895 of the largest subunit. In this region there exists a highly conserved sequence which is also found in other archaebacterial, eukaryotic and prokaryotic RNA polymerase. This suggests that the binding site for the initiating substrate of RNA polymerases has been conserved during evolution.

Studies of the functional topography of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. A method for localization of the sites of affinity labelling.

A method is proposed for localization of the sites of affinity labelling of the beta subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. The principle of this method is similar to that of the methods of rapid sequencing of nucleic acids. The polypeptide bearing a radioactive affinity label at one of the amino acid residues is subjected to short-term treatment with cyanogen bromide. The conditions of this reaction are selected in such a way that less than one cleavage occurs on average per polypeptide chain. Two series of radioactive peptides are formed, one involving all the possible N-terminal peptides and the other the C-terminal peptides. The distribution of the lengths of these peptides is studied by means of gel electrophoresis and compared with the theoretical ones based on the known amino acid sequence of the beta subunit. Obviously, the affinity label resides between the C-terminus of the shortest N-terminal radioactive peptide and the N-terminus of the shortest C-terminal radioactive peptide. In order to increase reliability and resolution of the method, partial trypsinolysis may be employed. The evidence obtained suggests that lysine residues over the regions 1036-1066, 1234-1242, and histidine-1237 are situated in the nearest neighbourhood to, or directly involved in the formation of the active center of initiating substrate binding of the beta subunit of E. coli RNA polymerase.

Active site labeling of the RNA polymerases A, B, and C from yeast.

RNA polymerases A, B, and C from yeast were modified by reaction with 4-formylphenyl-gamma-ester of ATP as priming nucleotide followed by reduction with NaBH4. Upon phosphodiester bond formation with [alpha-32P]UTP, only the second largest subunit, A135, B150, or C128, was labeled in a template-dependent reaction. This indicates that these polypeptide chains are functionally homologous. The product covalently bound to B150 subunit was found to consist of a mixture of ApU and a trinucleotide. Enzyme labeling exhibited the characteristic alpha-amanitin sensitivity reported for A and B RNA polymerases. Labeling of both large subunits of enzyme A and B but not of any of the smaller subunits was observed when the reduction step stabilizing the binding of the priming nucleotide was carried out after limited chain elongation. These results illustrate the conservative evolution of the active site of eukaryotic RNA polymerases.

Studies of the functional topography of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase. Affinity labelling of RNA polymerase in a promoter complex by phosphorylating derivatives of primer oligonucleotides.

Amidation of the 5'-phosphate group of the heptanucleotide pdApdApdApdTpdCpdGprC and of its derivatives of the general formula (pdN)npdGprC (n = 0-5) with imidazole, N-methylimidazole, and 4-dimethylaminopyridine afforded a series of phosphorylating affinity reagents. The parent oligonucleotides of this series complementary to promoter A2 of T7 phage over the region (-5 to +2) are known to be efficient primers of the synthesis of RNA by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase with promoter A2 as template. Treatment of the complex RNA-polymerase X promoter-A2 with affinity reagents followed by addition of [alpha-32P]UTP resulted in labelling of RNA polymerase by the residues -(pdN)npdGprCprU (p = radioactive phosphate). This affinity labelling was highly selective because elongation of the covalently bound residues (pdN)npdGprC by prU residues was catalyzed by the active center of RNA polymerase. The most efficient reagents were N-methylimidazolides. A dramatic change of the pattern of labelling of the subunits beta, beta', and sigma took place with changing n. Maximum labelling of the beta subunit occurred at n = 1 and of the sigma subunit at n = 5. The targets in both the subunits were His residues. The alpha subunit was not specifically labelled.

Highly selective affinity labelling of RNA polymerase B (II) from wheat germ.

DNA-dependent RNA polymerase B (II) from wheat germ was modified by incubation with 4-[N-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-N-methyl]benzaldehyde esters of AMP, ADP or ATP, followed by reduction with NaBH4. Reaction of the modified enzyme with [alpha-32P]UTP in the presence of various DNA templates led to a highly selective affinity labelling of the subunit with Mr 140 000 by covalently linked ApU. Labelling was inhibited by 1 microgram/ml alpha-amanitin.

Oligonucleotides complementary to a promoter over the region -8...+2 as transcription primers for E. coli RNA polymerase.

Primer-dependent transcription by E. coli RNA polymerase on T7 promoter A2 has been studied. Synthetic deoxyribonucleotides complementary to the promoter over the region -8...+2 were taken as primers. A ribonucleoside residue was present at the 3'-end of some of these oligonucleotides. The octanucleotide complementary to the region -8...-1 appeared to be an active primer. Oligonucleotides having lengths from 3 to 6 nucleotide residues complementary to the promoter over the region -4...+2 also exhibited primer activity. The latter was some 5-10 times greater in the case of oligonucleotides having a ribonucleoside residue at the 3'-end. Oligonucleotides which on complementary binding do not reach the center of phosphodiester bond synthesis, as well as the decanucleotides (-8...+2) and octanucleotides (-6...+2) of both the ribo- and deoxyribo-series were inactive as primers.