Domain structure of HelD, an interaction partner of Bacillus subtilis RNA polymerase.

The HelD is a helicase-like protein binding to Bacillus subtilis RNA polymerase (RNAP), stimulating transcription in an ATP-dependent manner. Here, our small angle X-ray scattering data bring the first insights into the HelD structure: HelD is compact in shape and undergoes a conformational change upon substrate analog binding. Furthermore, the HelD domain structure is delineated, and a partial model of HelD is presented.