An arcane role of DNA in transcription activation.

Ryu, S; Garges, S; Adhya, S · Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A · 1994

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

The mechanism by which the cAMP receptor protein (CRP) activates transcription has been investigated using the lac promoter of Escherichia coli. For transcription activation, an interaction between DNA-bound CRP and RNA polymerase is not sufficient. CRP must bind to a site in the same DNA and close to the promoter. CRP action requires an intact spacer DNA to provide a rigid support in building a CRP-RNA polymerase protein bridge or to allow a conformational change in the DNA to be transmitted to the lac promoter using the protein bridge as a structural support.

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