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. 1998 Apr 15;17(8):2353–2358. doi: 10.1093/emboj/17.8.2353

Structure of wild-type yeast RNA polymerase II and location of Rpb4 and Rpb7.

G J Jensen 1, G Meredith 1, D A Bushnell 1, R D Kornberg 1
PMCID: PMC1170578  PMID: 9545247

Abstract

The three-dimensional structure of wild-type yeast RNA polymerase II has been determined at a nominal resolution of 24 A. A difference map between this structure and that of the polymerase lacking subunits Rpb4 and Rpb7 showed these two subunits forming part of the floor of the DNA-binding (active center) cleft, and revealed a slight inward movement of the protein domain surrounding the cleft. Surface plasmon resonance measurements showed that Rpb4 and Rpb7 stabilize a minimal pre-initiation complex containing promoter DNA, TATA box-binding protein (TBP), transcription factor TFIIB and the polymerase. These findings suggest that Rpb4 and Rpb7 play a role in coupling the entry of DNA into the active center cleft to closure of the cleft. Such a role can explain why these subunits are necessary for promoter-specific transcription in vitro and for a normal stress response in vivo.

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Selected References

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