Upstream promoter sequences and αCTD mediate stable DNA wrapping within the RNA polymerase–promoter open complex

We show that the extent of stable DNA wrapping by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase (RNAP) in the RNAP–promoter open complex depends on the sequence of the promoter and, in particular, on the sequence of the upstream region of the promoter. We further show that the extent of stable DNA wrapping depends on the presence of the RNAP α-subunit carboxy-terminal domain and on the presence and length of the RNAP α-subunit interdomain linker. Our results indicate that the extensive stable DNA wrapping observed previously in the RNAP–promoter open complex at the λ PR promoter is not a general feature of RNAP–promoter open complexes.