Award details

Single molecule mechanics of DNA transcription by RNA polymerase

Reference	G07803
Principal Investigator / Supervisor	Dr James Hoggett
Co-Investigators / Co-Supervisors	Dr Justin Molloy
Institution	University of York
Department	Biology
Funding type	Research
Value (£)	166,781
Status	Completed
Type	Research Grant
Start date	01/02/1998
End date	01/02/2001
Duration	36 months

Abstract

We shall exploit the potential of single molecule studies to address directly several long- standing problems about the mechanism of transcription, and to provide an insight into the basis of processivity of enzymes along DNA. We shall use an optical tweezers transducer coupled with single molecule fluorescence visualisation to investigate the following questions, using Escherichia coli and T7 RNA polymerase as examples of a small polymerase and a prototype highly processive enzyme: Is polymerase movement continuous or discontinuous (inchworm like)? What factors of DNA sequence and structure influence the rate of elongation? Are there differences in mechanical properties of polymerase:DNA complexes in the initiation, elongation and paused states? For the E. coli enzyme, when with respect to the onset of enzyme movement, does the crucial step of sigma factor release occur?

Summary

unavailable

Committee	Closed Committee - Genes & Developmental Biology (GDB)
Research Topics	X – not assigned to a current Research Topic
Research Priority	X – Research Priority information not available
Research Initiative	X - not in an Initiative
Funding Scheme	X – not Funded via a specific Funding Scheme

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