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Journal of Bacteriology, November 2008, p. 7251-7257, Vol. 190, No. 21
0021-9193/08/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JB.00760-08
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Evolutionary Comparison of Ribosomal Operon Antitermination Function{triangledown}

Kristine B. Arnvig,1 Shirley Zeng,2 Selwyn Quan,2,3 Alexander Papageorge,2 Ning Zhang,2 Anuradha C. Villapakkam,3 and Catherine L. Squires2,3*

Division of Mycobacterial Research, National Institute for Medical Research, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA, United Kingdom,1 Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology, Tufts University School of Medicine, 136 Harrison Ave., Boston, Massachusetts 02111,2 Department of Biology, Stanford University, 371 Serra Mall, Stanford, California 943053

Received 28 May 2008/ Accepted 18 August 2008

Transcription antitermination in the ribosomal operons of Escherichia coli results in the modification of RNA polymerase by specific proteins, altering its basic properties. For such alterations to occur, signal sequences in rrn operons are required as well as individual interacting proteins. In this study we tested putative rrn transcription antitermination-inducing sequences from five different bacteria for their abilities to function in E. coli. We further examined their response to the lack of one known rrn transcription antitermination protein from E. coli, NusB. We monitored antitermination activity by assessing the ability of RNA polymerase to read through a factor-dependent terminator. We found that, in general, the closer the regulatory sequence matched that of E. coli, the more likely there was to be a successful antitermination-proficient modification of the transcription complex. The rrn leader sequences from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus subtilis, and Caulobacter crescentus all provided various levels of, but functionally significant antitermination properties to, RNA polymerase, while those of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Thermotoga maritima did not. Possible RNA folding structures of presumed antitermination sequences and specific critical bases are discussed in light of our results. An unexpected finding was that when using the Caulobacter crescentus rrn leader sequence, there was little effect on terminator readthrough in the absence of NusB. All other hybrid antitermination system activities required this factor. Possible reasons for this finding are discussed.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305. Phone: (650) 736-8121. Fax: (650) 725-8221. E-mail: cathy.squires{at}tufts.edu

{triangledown} Published ahead of print on 29 August 2008.

Journal of Bacteriology, November 2008, p. 7251-7257, Vol. 190, No. 21
0021-9193/08/$08.00+0     doi:10.1128/JB.00760-08
Copyright © 2008, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.





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