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Arginine Control of Transcription of argECBH Messenger Ribonucleic Acid in Escherichia coli

Department of Microbiology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455

ABSTRACT

The level of messenger ribonucleic acid specific for the argECBH gene cluster (arg-mRNA) of Escherichia coli was measured by deoxyribonucleic acid-ribonucleic acid hybridization in a number of strains. During the first 10 min after removal of arginine (derepression), the rate of arg-mRNA accumulation was six to ten times greater than that found in arginine-repressed argR⁺ cells. In the absence of arginine, L-canavanine (200 µg/ml) repressed arg-mRNA synthesis to a level only 20 to 30% lower than that found after arginine deprivation. High levels of arg-mRNA were produced by argR^– strains with or without added arginine. Within about 2 min after arginine addition to argR⁺ cells, the rate of synthesis of arg-mRNA reached the repressed level. Likewise, 2.5 min after rifampin addition, all transcription of arg-mRNA was completed. These data are consistent with the view that arginine signals repression by inhibiting the initiation of transcription of arg-mRNA mediated in some way by the argR gene. The kinetics of arg-mRNA accumulation and the kinetics of completion of transcription together with the profile of hybridizable arg-mRNA in sucrose density gradients (major component 16S) suggest that the argECBH gene cluster is transcribed in short pieces rather than as a single unit.

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