Biopolymers and cell. 2007; 23 (1): 3 - 13

Vizualization of DNA–T7 RNA polymerase complex by atomic force microscopy

A. P. Limanskii

Complexes of bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase (RNAP) with DNA template, containing promoter and terminator of T7 RNAP, at transcription elongation were visualized by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Images for both nonspecific (formed by T7 RNAP molecule with end fragments of DNA template) and specific (complexes of T7 RNAP with promoter and transcription termination area) were obtained for pairs of single molecules. The influence of transcription parameters on the complex formation is discussed.

Keywords: atomic force microscopy, AFM, transcription, T7 RNA polymerase, terminator, promoter, protein–DNA interaction.