Open AccessThe Folded Genome of Escherichia coli Isolated in a Protein-DNA-RNA Complex
Author(s) -
Oliver G. Stonington,
David E. Pettijohn
Publication year - 1971
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.68.1.6
Subject(s) - rna , rnase p , dna , escherichia coli , rnase h , ribosomal rna , microbiology and biotechnology , ribosome , chemistry , biology , biochemistry , gene
The DNA ofEscherichia coli has been isolated in a compact structure containing small amounts of protein and RNA and having a sedimentation coefficient of approximately 3200 S. The molecular weight of the DNA in the complex is very large (probably higher than 109 ); the protein is predominantly core RNA polymerase; the RNA is chiefly nascent messenger and ribosomal chains. Solutions containing the complex have low viscosities; this plus its sedimentation rate suggest that the DNA is in a tightly folded conformation. The DNA unfolds after exposure to RNase or heat; this indicates that an RNA component of the complex is involved in stabilizing the structure.
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