Coatomer Protein Complex Subunit Gamma 1 (COPg1)

Replication of the promiscuous plasmid pMV158 requires expression of the initiator repB gene, which is controlled by the repressor CopG. Genes repB and copG are co-transcribed from promoter P(cr). Complexes formed at 0 degrees C and at 37 degrees C between RNA polymerase and P(cr) differed from each other in stability and in the extent of the DNA contacted. The 37 degrees C complex was very stable (half-life of about 3 h), and shared features with typical open complexes generated at a variety of promoters. CopG protein repressed transcription from P(cr) at two different stages in the process leading to the initiation complex. First, CopG hindered binding of RNA polymerase to the promoter. Second, CopG was able to displace RNA polymerase once the enzyme has formed a stable complex with P(cr).