Factors influencing preferential utilization of RNA polymerase containing sigma-38 in stationary-phase gene expression in Escherichia coli

Young Kim Eun, Min Sang Shin, Haeng Rhee Joon, Hyon E. Choy

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

In order to understand the molecular basis of selective expression of stationary-phase genes by RNA polymerase containing σ38 (Eσ38) in Escherichia coli, we examined transcription from the stationary-phase promoters, katEP, bolAP, hdeABP, csgBAP, and mcbP, in vivo and in vitro. Although these promoters are preferentially recognized in vivo by Eσ38, they are transcribed in vitro by both Eσ38 and Eσ70 containing the major exponential σ, σ70. In the presence of high concentrations of glutamate salts, however, only Eσ38 was able to efficiently transcribe from these promoters, which supports the concept that the promoter selectivity of σ38-containing RNA polymerase is observed only under specific reaction conditions. The examination of 6S RNA, which is encoded by the ssr1 gene in vivo, showed that it reduced Eσ70 activity during the stationary phase, but this reduction of activity did not result in the elevation of Eσ38 activity. Thus, the preferential expression of stationary-phase genes by Eσ38 is unlikely the consequence of selective inhibition of Eσ70 by 6S RNA.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)103-110
Number of pages8
JournalJournal of Microbiology
Volume42
Issue number2
StatePublished - Jun 2004

Keywords

  • 6S RNA
  • in vitro transcription
  • RNA polymerase
  • Sigma factor

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