The magic spot: a ppGpp binding site on E. coli RNA polymerase responsible for regulation of transcription initiation

Mol Cell. 2013 May 9;50(3):420-9. doi: 10.1016/j.molcel.2013.03.021. Epub 2013 Apr 25.

Abstract

The global regulatory nucleotide ppGpp ("magic spot") regulates transcription from a large subset of Escherichia coli promoters, illustrating how small molecules can control gene expression promoter-specifically by interacting with RNA polymerase (RNAP) without binding to DNA. However, ppGpp's target site on RNAP, and therefore its mechanism of action, has remained unclear. We report here a binding site for ppGpp on E. coli RNAP, identified by crosslinking, protease mapping, and analysis of mutant RNAPs that fail to respond to ppGpp. A strain with a mutant ppGpp binding site displays properties characteristic of cells defective for ppGpp synthesis. The binding site is at an interface of two RNAP subunits, ω and β', and its position suggests an allosteric mechanism of action involving restriction of motion between two mobile RNAP modules. Identification of the binding site allows prediction of bacterial species in which ppGpp exerts its effects by targeting RNAP.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Alleles
  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Binding Sites / genetics*
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / genetics*
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli / enzymology
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism
  • Guanosine Tetraphosphate / genetics*
  • Guanosine Tetraphosphate / metabolism
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mutation
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Subunits
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Protein Subunits
  • Guanosine Tetraphosphate
  • DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases