Transcriptional inhibition by high pressure in vitro

ERIJMAN, L.; CLEGG, R.M.

High Pressure Research in the Biosciences and Biotechnology

Leuven University Press

Lugar: Leuven, Bélgica; Año: 1997; p. 103 - 106

We describe the effect of high hydrostatic pressure on the conformational stability of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase and on different phases of the transcription process. relative to RNA polymerase molecules that are not actively transcribing, molecules participating in elongation ternary complexes are stabilized against subunit dissociation by at least 12 kcal/mol. The rate of RNA synthesis is slowed at high pressures and no nucleotide incorporation is observed above 150 MPa. The HP stalled ternary complexes are stable and resume elongation when the pressure is released. Pressure appears to block structural transitions involving major conformational changes in the core polymeras for the translocation event during the elongation phase of transcription.