Work

Rho-dependent transcription termination in bacteria recycles RNA polymerases stalled at DNA lesions

Year: 2019

Type: article

Abstract: In bacteria, transcription-coupled repair of DNA lesions initiates after the Mfd protein removes RNA polymerases (RNAPs) stalled at the lesions. The bacterial RNA helicase, Rho, is a transcription termination protein that dislodges the elongation complexes. Here, we show that Rho dislodges the stalled RNAPs at DNA lesions. Strains defective in both Rho and Mfd are susceptible to DNA-damaging agents and are inefficient in repairing or propagating UV-damaged DNA. In vitro transcription assays show that Rho dissociates the stalled elongation complexes at the DNA lesions. We conclude that Rho-dependent termination recycles stalled RNAPs, which might facilitate DNA repair and other DNA-dependent processes essential for bacterial cell survival. We surmise that Rho might compete with, or augment, the Mfd function.

Source: Nature Communications

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-09146-5

Authors: Sriyans Jain, Richa Gupta, Ranjan Sen

Institution: Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics

Language: English

Topic: DNA Repair Mechanisms

Subfield: Molecular Biology

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $5,200

Funder: Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India