Mutational analysis of Escherichia coliσ28 and its target promoters reveals recognition of a composite −10 region, comprised of an 'extended −10' motif and a core −10 element |
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Authors: | Byoung-Mo Koo Virgil A. Rhodius Elizabeth A. Campbell Carol A. Gross |
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Affiliation: | Departments of Microbiology and Immunology, and;Cell and Tissue biology, University of California at San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA.; Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics, The Rockefeller University, 1230 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA. |
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Abstract: | σ28 controls the expression of flagella-related genes and is the most widely distributed alternative σ factor, present in motile Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The distinguishing feature of σ28 promoters is a long −10 region (GCCGATAA). Despite the fact that the upstream GC is highly conserved, previous studies have not indicated a functional role for this motif. Here we examine the functional relevance of the GCCG motif and determine which residues in σ28 participate in its recognition. We find that the GCCG motif is a functionally important composite element. The upstream GC constitutes an extended −10 motif and is recognized by R91, a residue in Domain 3 of σ28. The downstream CG is the upstream edge of −10 region of the promoter; two residues in Region 2.4, D81 and R84, participate in its recognition. Consistent with their role in base-specific recognition of the promoter, R91, D81 and D84 are universally conserved in σ28 orthologues. σ28 is the second Group 3 σ shown to use an extended −10 region in promoter recognition, raising the possibility that other Group 3 σs will do so as well. |
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