Promoter recognition by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase: effects of the UP element on open complex formation and promoter clearance.

Escherichia coli promoters for transcription of ribosomal and tRNAs are greatly activated by an A+T-rich "UP" element upstream of the -35 region. These same promoters have also been found to otherwise deviate in several respects from the consensus promoter sequence. Here we present the results of a kinetic characterization of the interaction of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase with UP element-containing promoters which by virtue of consensus or near-consensus sequence features should be among the most optimal that can be encountered by Escherichia coli RNA polymerase.