Initiation of DNA replication at cloned origins of bacteriophage T7

Bacteriophage T7 DNA replication is initiated at a site 15% of the distance from the genetic left end of the chromosome. This primary origin contains two tandem T7 RNA polymerase promoters (phi 1.1A and phi 1.1B) followed by an A + T-rich region. When the primary origin region is deleted replication initiates at secondary origins. We have analyzed the ability of plasmids containing cloned fragments of T7 to replicate after infection of Escherichia coli with bacteriophage T7. All cloned T7 fragments that support plasmid replication contain a T7 promoter but a T7 promoter alone is not sufficient for replication. Replication of plasmids containing the primary origin is dependent on T7 DNA polymerase and gene 4 protein (helicase/primase) and a portion of the A + T-rich region. The other T7 fragments that support plasmid replication after T7 infection are promoter regions phi OR, phi 13 and phi 6.5 (secondary origins). When both the primary and secondary origins are present simultaneously on compatible plasmids, replication of each is temporally regulated. Such regulation may play a role during T7 DNA replication.     

Topography of intermediates in transcription initiation of E.coli

Three characteristic footprinting patterns resulted from probing the Escherichia coli RNA polymerase T7 A1 promoter complex by hydroxyl radicals in the temperature range between 4 degrees C and 37 degrees C. These were attributed to the closed complex, the intermediate complex and the open complex. In the closed complex, the RNA polymerase protects the DNA only at one side over five helical turns. In the intermediate complex, the range of the protected area is extended further downstream by two helical turns. This region of the DNA helix is fully protected, indicating that the RNA polymerase wraps around the DNA between base positions -13 and +20. In the open complex, a stretch between base positions -7 and +2, which was fully protected in the intermediate complex, becomes accessible towards hydroxyl radicals but only in the codogenic strand, indicating that the DNA strands are unwound. Our data suggest that only the DNA downstream of the promoter is involved in this unwinding process.     

T7启动子-11碱基突变对转录影响的研究

T7噬菌体启动子能被T7RNA聚合酶和真核生物RNA聚合酶Ⅱ系统启动转录 ,为研究两个系统转录的关键碱基 ,将合成的T7噬菌体启动子 1 1变异体与报道基因CAT基因连在一起。体内CAT和体外狭缝RNA杂交实验显示 : 1 1碱基是T7RNA聚合酶和真核生物RNA聚合酶Ⅱ系统启动T7启动子的关键碱基之一。