A STRUCTURE-FUNCTION ANALYSIS OF ESCHERICHIA-COLI RNA-POLYMERASE

Control of RNA polymerase is a common means of regulating gene express ion. A detailed picture of both the structure and how the structural d etails of RNA polymerase encode function is a key to understanding the molecular strategies used to regulate RNA polymerase. We review here data which ascribes functons to some regions of the primary sequence o f the subunits (alpha,beta beta'sigma) which make up E. coli RNA polym erase. We review both genetic and biochemical data which place regions of the primary sequence that are distant from one another in close pr oximity in the tertiary structure. Finally we discuss the implications of these findings on the quaternary structure of RNA polymerase.