A Fluorogenic Assay To Monitor Rho-Dependent Termination of Transcription

Biochemistry. 2019 Feb 19;58(7):865-874. doi: 10.1021/acs.biochem.8b01216. Epub 2019 Jan 24.

Abstract

Transcription termination mediated by the ring-shaped, ATP-dependent Rho motor is a multipurpose regulatory mechanism specific to bacteria and constitutes an interesting target for the development of new antibiotics. Although Rho-dependent termination can punctuate gene expression or contribute to the protection of the genome at hundreds of sites within a given bacterium, its exact perimeter and site- or species-specific features remain insufficiently characterized. New advanced approaches are required to explore thoroughly the diversity of Rho-dependent terminators and the complexity of associated mechanisms. Current in vitro analyses of Rho-dependent termination rely on radiolabeling, gel electrophoresis, and phosphorimaging of transcription reaction products and are thus hazardous, inconvenient, and low-throughput. To address these limitations, we have developed the first in vitro assay using a fluorescence detection modality to study Rho-dependent transcription termination. This powerful experimental tool accurately estimates terminator strengths in a matter of minutes and is optimized for a microplate reader format allowing multiplexed characterization of putative terminator sequences and mechanisms or high-throughput screening of new drugs targeting Rho-dependent termination.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biochemistry / methods*
  • Fluorescent Dyes*
  • Molecular Probes / genetics
  • Rho Factor / genetics*
  • Rho Factor / metabolism
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Transcription Termination, Genetic*
  • p-Dimethylaminoazobenzene / analogs & derivatives

Substances

  • Fluorescent Dyes
  • Molecular Probes
  • Rho Factor
  • 4-(4-dimethylaminophenylazo)benzoic acid
  • p-Dimethylaminoazobenzene