The RpoN-box motif of the RNA polymerase sigma factor σN plays a role in promoter recognition
Authors: Taylor, Mark1; Butler, Robin1; Chambers, Sheila1; Casimiro, Matthew1; Badii, Farah1; Merrick, Mike1
Source: Molecular Microbiology, Volume 22, Number 5, December 1996 , pp. 1045-1054(10)
Publisher: Blackwell Publishing
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Abstract:
The RNA polymerase sigma factor σN (σ54) is characterized by the presence, near the C-terminal end of the protein, of a highly conserved sequence of 10 amino acids (ARRTVAKYRE) that has been termed the RpoN box. In order to examine the function of this motif, which is predicted to adopt an α-helical stucture, we have isolated a number of mutations that alter residues within the box and examined the properties of the σN derivatives encoded by them. Certain mutations that alter charged and potentially exposed residues within the motif result in transcriptionally inactive proteins with impaired promoter recognition but no impairment in core RNA polymerase binding. We therefore suggest that the RpoN box could play a direct or indirect role in recognition of the −24, −12 promoter consensus that is characteristic of σN-dependent genes.Document Type: Research article
DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.1996.01547.x
Affiliations: 1: The Nitrogen Fixation Laboratory, John Innes Centre, Colney Lane, Norwich NR4 7UH, UK.
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