Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects
Department
Biology
Document Type
Thesis
Abstract
All bacteria contain a multi-subunit RNA polymerase (RNAPs) that is essential for gene expression. Because of the centrality of these enzymes in cellular life, the structure and function of the various subunits is intensely studied. The primary sequence of the RNAP β’ subunit contains five cysteine residues that are highly conserved. Four of the cysteines coordinate a zinc atom and form the beta prime subunit zinc binding domain (ZBD). Mutation of any one of the ZBD cysteines is lethal to the cell. However, the role of the fifth residue (C58), which is located upstream of the ZBD cysteines, has not been investigated. In previous work, we cloned a copy of the E. coli rpoC onto a plasmid and changed the cysteine at position 58 to an alanine (C58A). Phenotypic analysis suggested that expression of the mutant subunit from the multi-copy plasmid did not support E. coli growth at high temperatures. In this study, we describe the generation of the C58A mutation in single copy on the chromosome using a chromosomal engineering technique. In addition, we investigated if the mutant subunit affects RNA-mediated transcription antitermination.
Advisor(s) or Committee Chair
Rodney King, Ph.D.
Disciplines
Cell Biology | Genetics | Molecular Biology
Recommended Citation
Dillingham, Meg, "Investigation of the Phenotypic Effect of Mutating a Highly-Conserved Cysteine Residue in the RNA Polymerase Beta Prime Subunit of E. Coli RNA Polymerase" (2020). Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects. Paper 919.
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/stu_hon_theses/919
Included in
Cell Biology Commons, Genetics Commons, Molecular Biology Commons