Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026

In Vitro Transcription Assays and Their Application in Drug Discovery
Published on: September 20, 2016
Σ(70)-dependent transcription pausing in Escherichia coli
Sarah A Perdue1, Jeffrey W Roberts
1Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
Abstract:
After promoter escape in Escherichia coli, the initiating σ(70) factor is retained by core RNA polymerase (RNAP) for at least tens of nucleotides. While it is bound, σ(70) can engage a repeat of a promoter DNA element located downstream of the promoter and thereby induce a transcription pause. The σ(70)-dependent promoter-proximal pause that occurs at all lambdoid phage late gene promoters is essential to regulation of the late gene operons. Several, and possibly many, E. coli promoters have associated σ(70)-dependent pauses. Clearly characterized σ(70)-dependent pauses occur within 25 nucleotides of the start site, but σ(70)-dependent pausing might occur farther downstream as well. In this review, we summarize evidence for σ(70)-dependent promoter-proximal and promoter-distal pausing, and we discuss its potential regulatory function and mechanistic basis.
More Related Videos
07:51Method for Labeling Transcripts in Individual Escherichia coli Cells for Single-molecule Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization Experiments
Published on: December 21, 2017
11:19Inducing a Site Specific Replication Blockage in E. coli Using a Fluorescent Repressor Operator System
Published on: August 21, 2016
Related Concept Videos
Stringent Response in E. coli
Transcription Attenuation in Prokaryotes
There are several different mechanisms used to attenuate transcription. In ribosome mediated...
Transcription Elongation Factors
The transcription elongation is regulated via pausing of RNA polymerase on several occasions during transcription. In bacteria, these halts are necessary because the transcription of DNA into mRNA is coupled to the translation of that mRNA into a...
Transcription Elongation Factors
The transcription elongation is regulated via pausing of RNA polymerase on several occasions during transcription. In bacteria, these halts are necessary because the transcription of DNA into mRNA is coupled to the translation of that mRNA into a...
Bacterial Transcription
Transcription can be divided into three main stages, each involving distinct DNA sequences to guide the polymerase. These are:
Gene Regulation During Sporulation