RapA, a bacterial homolog of SWI2/SNF2, stimulates RNA polymerase recycling in transcription
Year: 2001
Type: preprint
Abstract: We report that RapA, an Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (RNAP)-associated homolog of SWI2/SNF2, is capable of dramatic activation of RNA synthesis. The RapA-mediated transcriptional activation in vitro depends on supercoiled DNA and high salt concentrations, a condition that is likely to render the DNA superhelix tightly compacted. Moreover, RapA activates transcription by stimulating RNAP recycling. Mutational analyses indicate that the ATPase activity of RapA is essential for its function as a transcriptional activator, and a rapA null mutant exhibits a growth defect on nutrient plates containing high salt concentrations in vivo. Thus, RapA acts as a general transcription factor and an integral component of the transcription machinery. The mode of action of RapA in remodeling posttranscription or posttermination complexes is discussed.
Source: Genes & Development
DOI: 10.1101/gad.936701
Institutions: National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2161424731