The transcription-repair coupling factor Mfd associates with RNA polymerase in the absence of exogenous damage

Abstract

The bacterial transcription-repair coupling factor Mfd displaces stalled RNA polymerase (RNAP) by promoting transcription termination at sites of DNA lesions. Here the authors find—using single molecule imaging in live Escherichia coli—that RNAP stalls frequently during transcription, and needs to be rescued by Mfd during normal growth.