Abstract
By using site-specific protein-DNA photocrosslinking, we define the positions of TATA-binding protein, transcription factor IIB, transcription factor IIF, and subunits of RNA polymerase II (RNAPII) relative to promoter DNA within the human transcription preinitiation complex. The results indicate that the interface between the largest and second-largest subunits of RNAPII forms an extended, ≃240 channel that interacts with promoter DNA both upstream and downstream of the transcription start. By using electron microscopy, we show that RNAPII compacts promoter DNA by the equivalent of ≃50 bp. Together with the published structure of RNAPII, the results indicate that RNAPII wraps DNA around its surface and suggest a specific model for the trajectory of the wrapped DNA.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 12268-12273 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America |
Volume | 94 |
Issue number | 23 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 11 1997 |
Keywords
- DNA bending
- DNA compaction
- DNA wrapping
- Electron microscopy
- Protein-DNA photocrosslinking
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General