A non-canonical promoter element drives spurious transcription of horizontally acquired bacterial genes.
Nucleic Acids Res
; 48(9): 4891-4901, 2020 05 21.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-32297955
ABSTRACT
RNA polymerases initiate transcription at DNA sequences called promoters. In bacteria, the best conserved promoter feature is the AT-rich -10 element; a sequence essential for DNA unwinding. Further elements, and gene regulatory proteins, are needed to recruit RNA polymerase to the -10 sequence. Hence, -10 elements cannot function in isolation. Many horizontally acquired genes also have a high AT-content. Consequently, sequences that resemble the -10 element occur frequently. As a result, foreign genes are predisposed to spurious transcription. However, it is not clear how RNA polymerase initially recognizes such sequences. Here, we identify a non-canonical promoter element that plays a key role. The sequence, itself a short AT-tract, resides 5 base pairs upstream of otherwise cryptic -10 elements. The AT-tract alters DNA conformation and enhances contacts between the DNA backbone and RNA polymerase.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Asunto principal:
ARN Polimerasas Dirigidas por ADN
/
Activación Transcripcional
/
Regiones Promotoras Genéticas
/
Transferencia de Gen Horizontal
/
Genes Bacterianos
Tipo de estudio:
Prognostic_studies
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Nucleic Acids Res
Año:
2020
Tipo del documento:
Article
País de afiliación:
Reino Unido