Structural visualization of transcription activated by a multidrug-sensing MerR family regulator

Abstract

The MerR family of transcriptional regulators, such as EcmrR, activate promoters with a structure that is suboptimal for recognition by RNA polymerase holoenzyme. Structural insights into the EcmrR-dependent transcription process elucidate the mechanisms enabling optimal promoter recognition and transition from initiation to elongation.