FIG. 8.

Model of P_lapT and P_lkt transcription. The black line represents lapT-lktC intergenic DNA. Arrows indicate the direction of transcription, and asterisks denote transcriptional start sites of P_lapT and P_lkt. We have tried to maintain appropriate scale between RNA polymerase (RNAP) and IHF and the predicted DNA-protein interactions for open-complex formation, as well as approximate angles induced by IHF or the four adenine tracts. As shown in the model, we predict that DNA bending is an important part of stable RNA polymerase open-complex formation and transcriptional activation for both P_lapT and P_lkt. We hypothesize that transcription of P_lkt is further enhanced in the presence of an activator protein (shown here as a dimer) bound to upstream activator sites.