Transcription–translation coupling: direct interactions of RNA polymerase with ribosomes and ribosomal subunits. Issue 19 (16th August 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Fan, Haitian; Conn, Adam B.; Williams, Preston B.; Diggs, Stephen; Hahm, Joseph; Gamper, Howard B.; Hou, Ya-Ming; O'Leary, Seán E.; Wang, Yinsheng; Blaha, Gregor M.
• Is Part Of: Nucleic acids research. Volume 45:Issue 19(2017)
• Page Start: 11043
• Page End: 11055
• Publication Date: 2017-08-16
• Subjects: Nucleic acids -- Periodicals; Molecular biology -- Periodicals; 572.805
• DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkx719
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0305-1048

Abstract

Abstract: In prokaryotes, RNA polymerase and ribosomes can bind concurrently to the same RNA transcript, leading to the functional coupling of transcription and translation. The interactions between RNA polymerase and ribosomes are crucial for the coordination of transcription with translation. Here, we report that RNA polymerase directly binds ribosomes and isolated large and small ribosomal subunits. RNA polymerase and ribosomes form a one-to-one complex with a micromolar dissociation constant. The formation of the complex is modulated by the conformational and functional states of RNA polymerase and the ribosome. The binding interface on the large ribosomal subunit is buried by the small subunit during protein synthesis, whereas that on the small subunit remains solvent-accessible. The RNA polymerase binding site on the ribosome includes that of the isolated small ribosomal subunit. This direct interaction between RNA polymerase and ribosomes may contribute to the coupling of transcription to translation.