[Cold-sensitive mutation in the beta-subunit of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase affecting the opening of promoters].

A cold-sensitive mutation in Escherichia coli, affecting the beta-subunit of RNA polymerase and causing an increase in the temperature of promoter opening on T2 phage DNA, was obtained. The mutation also affects the stages preceding promoter opening by increasing the dissociation rate of RNA polymerase--DNA closed complexes. The affinity of RNA polymerase to T2- and lambda-DNA is differently changed by the mutation. The relative efficiency of transcription of these two templates is also changed. These results suggest a participation of the beta-subunit of RNA polymerase in the interaction with promoters.