原核生物RNA聚合酶辅助因子σ因子的研究进展

Advances on the Sigma Factor,one of the RNA Polymerase Cofactors in Prokaryote

在原核生物中,σ因子是RNA聚合酶的辅助因子,被用来识别启动子中的功能序列,在基因的转录调控中发挥着重要的功能。目前原核模式生物中的可替换型σ因子大部分已被发现,其中大肠杆菌有4种,枯草芽胞杆菌有18种。从σ因子的分类、应答机制、识别元件、结构特征等方面进行了归纳。将为系统的理解原核生物σ因子的功能,及其在基因表达调控中的贡献等方面提供帮助。

The sigma factor（ σ factor） can recognize the functional sequences of the promoter in prokaryotic organism and is the cofactor of RNA polymerase. The σ factor exerts important function in gene transcriptional regulation. At present,many alternative sigma factors have been found in prokaryotic model organisms,in which 4 sigma factors found in Escherichia coli and 18 sigma factors in Bacillus subtilis. Based on the studies in the past,the classification,response mechanism,recognition elements and the structure character of sigma factors were presented in this paper. It would help for understanding the function of prokaryotic σ factors well and their contributions to the gene expression and regulation.