Specific transcription of cloned Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum transcription units by homologous RNA polymerase in vitro.

Specific in vitro transcription by partially purified RNA polymerase from Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum of DNA sequences cloned in between the promoter and terminator regions of the methyl CoM reductase transcription unit of the same organism is described. The 5'-terminus of the product has been mapped. Deletion analyses of the promoter region show the limits of the sequences essential for the promoter function.