RNA polymerase (RNAP) is an extensively studied multisubunit enzyme required for transcription of DNA into RNA, yet the δ subunit of RNAP remains an enigmatic protein whose physiological roles have not been fully elucidated. Here, we identify a novel, so far unrecognized function of δ from Bacillus subtilis. We demonstrate that δ affects the regulation of RNAP by the concentration of the initiating nucleoside triphosphate ([iNTP]), an important mechanism crucial for rapid changes in gene expression in response to environmental changes. Consequently, we demonstrate that δ is essential for cell survival when facing a competing strain in a changing environment. Hence, although δ is not essential per se, it is vital for the cell's ability to rapidly adapt and survive in nature. Finally, we show that two other proteins, GreA and YdeB, previously implicated to affect regulation of RNAP by [iNTP] in other organisms, do not have this function in B. subtilis.

• MeSH
• Bacillus subtilis enzymologie   genetika   fyziologie   MeSH
• bakteriální proteiny chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• DNA řízené RNA-polymerasy chemie   genetika   metabolismus   MeSH
• exprese genu MeSH
• fyziologická adaptace MeSH
• genetická transkripce MeSH
• genový knockout MeSH
• mikrobiální viabilita MeSH
• podjednotky proteinů MeSH
• promotorové oblasti (genetika) genetika   MeSH
• regulace genové exprese u bakterií genetika   MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Názvy látek
• bakteriální proteiny MeSH
• DNA řízené RNA-polymerasy MeSH
• podjednotky proteinů MeSH