Recent studies of T7 RNA polymerase mechanism

• Published in: FEBS Letters Vol. 440; no. 3; pp. 264 - 267
• Main Authors: Kochetkov, S.N, Rusakova, E.E, Tunitskaya, V.L
• Format: Book Review Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier B.V 04-12-1998
• Subjects: Bacteriophage T7; Base Sequence; DNA, Viral - metabolism; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases - chemistry; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases - genetics; DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases - metabolism; DNAP, DNA polymerase; Elongation; Enzyme-promoter interaction; Initiation; Mechanism; Molecular Sequence Data; Mutagenesis; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Ribonucleotides - metabolism; RNAP, RNA polymerase; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; T7 RNA polymerase; Transcription; Transcription, Genetic; Viral Proteins; T7 RNA polymerase; Transcription; Mutagenesis; RNAP, RNA polymerase; Enzyme-promoter interaction; DNAP, DNA polymerase; Initiation; Elongation; Mechanism
• ISSN: 0014-5793; 1873-3468
• DOI: 10.1016/S0014-5793(98)01484-7

Bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase (T7 RNAP) is known to be one of the simplest enzymes catalyzing RNA synthesis. In contrast to most RNA polymerases known, this enzyme consists of one subunit and is able to carry out transcription in the absence of additional protein factors. Owing to its molecular properties, the enzyme is widely used for synthesis of specific transcripts, as well as being a suitable model for studying the mechanisms of transcription. In this minireview the recent data on the structure and mechanism of T7 RNAP, including enzyme-promoter interactions, principal stages of transcription, and the results of functional studies are discussed.