Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 3, 2026

An Assay for Quantifying Protein-RNA Binding in Bacteria
Published on: June 12, 2019
Characterization of HelD, an interacting partner of RNA polymerase from Bacillus subtilis
Jana Wiedermannová1, Petra Sudzinová, Tomaš Kovaľ
1Laboratory of Molecular Genetics of Bacteria, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 14220, Czech Republic, Department of Genetics and Microbiology, Faculty of Science, Charles University in Prague, Prague 12843, Czech Republic, Department of Structure Analysis of Biomacromolecules, Institute of Macromolecular Chemistry, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 16206, Czech Republic, Laboratory of Structure and Function of Biomolecules, Institute of Biotechnology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 14220, Czech Republic, School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia and Laboratory of Molecular Structure Characterization, Institute of Microbiology, Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic, Prague 14220, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
Bacterial RNA polymerase (RNAP) is an essential multisubunit protein complex required for gene expression. Here, we characterize YvgS (HelD) from Bacillus subtilis, a novel binding partner of RNAP. We show that HelD interacts with RNAP-core between the secondary channel of RNAP and the alpha subunits. Importantly, we demonstrate that HelD stimulates transcription in an ATP-dependent manner by enhancing transcriptional cycling and elongation. We demonstrate that the stimulatory effect of HelD can be amplified by a small subunit of RNAP, delta. In vivo, HelD is not essential but it is required for timely adaptations of the cell to changing environment. In summary, this study establishes HelD as a valid component of the bacterial transcription machinery.
Related Concept Videos
Bacterial RNA Polymerase
In most genes, the transcription site is a single base present upstream of the coding sequence. Though RNAP is a catalytically efficient enzyme, it does not recognize...
Bacterial RNA Polymerase
Transcription Initiation
The promoters and enhancers and their accessory proteins allow tight regulation of...
Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases
All three eukaryotic RNAPs require specific transcription factors, of which the...
Eukaryotic RNA Polymerases
Bacterial Transcription
Transcription can be divided into three main stages, each involving distinct DNA sequences to guide the polymerase. These are:

