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Role of sulfhydryl groups in the functioning of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase

Journal Article · · Sov. J. Bioorg. Chem. (Engl. Transl.); (United States)
OSTI ID:5280780

The chemical modification has been performed of the sulfhydryl groups of Escherichia coli DNA-dependent RNA polymerase with alkylating and mercury-containing compounds. It has been shown that iodoacetic acid and iodacetamide do not affect the activity of the enzyme, while N-ethylmaleimide and mercury-containing compounds inhibit RNA syntheses catalyzed by it. RNA polymerase modified with Hg/sup 2 +/ ions loses its capacity for binding with promoter-containing fragments of DNA. Furthermore, mercury ions also inhibit the RNA-elongation stage. A hypothesis has been put forward concerning the participation of the SH groups of the enzyme in the process of untwisting double-stranded DNA. It has been shown that the SH groups of the ..beta..- and ..beta..'-subunits of RNA polymerase participate in the binding of double-stranded fragments of DNA.

Research Organization:
M. M. Shemyakin Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Moscow (USSR)
OSTI ID:
5280780
Journal Information:
Sov. J. Bioorg. Chem. (Engl. Transl.); (United States), Journal Name: Sov. J. Bioorg. Chem. (Engl. Transl.); (United States) Vol. 11:4; ISSN SJBCD
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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