Figure 2 - full size

Figure 2.
Figure 2: Models of closed and open complexes. a, Model of the closed complex (minimal PIC). DNA template and non-template strands are in blue and cyan, respectively. The TATA element is in black and the nucleotide in the template strand that represents position +1 in the open complex is shown as a space-filling model. Top and bottom views are from the side and front, respectively. b, Model of the open complex. c, Location of nucleotides in DNA template strand initiator consensus sequence and mutations influencing start site selection and DNA opening. The open complex model is shown around the active centre. Positions -8 and +1 of the template strand are labelled. Position -8 lies adjacent to the B-reader helix that contains residues important for TSS selection (Glu 62, Trp 63, Arg 64, Phe 66, pale green spheres). The mobile B-reader loop (green-yellow), which contains residues Arg 78 and Val 79 required for initial transcription and TSS selection, could reach near positions -1 and +1. Sites of mutations abolishing DNA opening in archaeal transcription are shown as salmon spheres.