Abstract

The RNA polymerase of HeLa cell mitochondria has been purified free of endonuclease and DNA topoisomerase activities, permitting evaluation of the effect of template topology on transcription in vitro. On single-stranded DNA templates, transcription is nonspecific and does not require mitochondrial DNA sequences. In contrast, duplex DNA templates are efficiently transcribed only when they (1) carry the mitochondrial D-loop region and (2) are negatively supercoiled. These findings suggest a role for template superhelicity in modulating mitochondrial transcription in vivo.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.