Pseudomonas aeruginosa SutA wedges RNAP lobe domain open to facilitate promoter DNA unwinding

Abstract

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pae) SutA adapts bacteria to hypoxia and nutrition-limited environment during chronic infection by increasing transcription activity of an RNA polymerase (RNAP) holoenzyme comprising the stress-responsive σ factor σS (RNAP-σS). SutA shows no homology to previously characterized RNAP-binding proteins. The structure and mode of action of SutA remain unclear. Here we determined cryo-EM structures of Pae RNAP-σS holoenzyme, Pae RNAP-σS holoenzyme complexed with SutA, and Pae RNAP-σS transcription initiation complex comprising SutA. The structures show SutA pinches RNAP-β protrusion and facilitates promoter unwinding by wedging RNAP-β lobe open. Our results demonstrate that SutA clears an energetic barrier to facilitate promoter unwinding of RNAP-σS holoenzyme.