[Periodicity in contacts of RNA-polymerase with promotors]

Periodicities in the position of E.coli RNA polymerase promoter contacts on several promoters (lacUV5, T7 A3, tetR, lambda cin, lambda c17, RNA1, and trp S.t.) were found by means of Fourier analysis. The comparison of the Fourier spectrum of core RNA polymerase contacts on the lacUV5 promoter and that of holoenzyme revealed a more prominent 7-periodicity in the Fourier spectrum of holoenzyme contacts. 6-, 7-, and 8-periodicities were found in the primary structure of the majority of E.coli promoters. It is shown that RNA polymerase recognizes specific periodic patterns in the promoter structure.