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Richard Gourse

Professor of Bacteriology

Richard Gourse
Address:
5470 Microbial Sciences Building
Telephone:
262-9813
Email:
rgourse@bact.wisc.edu
Research Fields:
Gene Expression
Microbial Genetics

Ph.D., Brown University, 1980

Postdoctoral Research: Brown University and University of Wisconsin

Research Interests

Mechanism of transcription initiation, regulation of gene expression in bacteria

Research Description

We study the molecular biology of gene expression in bacteria, primarily the mechanism of transcription initiation, the architecture of transcription complexes, the relationship between structure and function in subunits of RNA polymerase (RNAP), and the mechanisms by which the transcription apparatus responds to signals from inside and outside of the cell. We focus on ribosomal RNA transcription and the control of ribosome synthesis in Escherichia coli, because ribosome synthesis is of central importance to cell function, because rRNA promoters account for the majority of transcription in the cell, and because rRNA promoters display a fascinating, complex network of regulatory responses. Our study of these promoters has provided new insights into promoter recognition and the mechanism of transcription initiation. Current projects in the lab include studies on Fis, a transcription factor that recruits RNAP to the rRNA promoter, studies on the C-terminal domain of the alpha subunit of RNAP and how it accounts for the extraordinary strength of rRNA promoters, studies of how the characteristic short half-life of the rRNA promoter complex makes these promoters susceptible to regulation by changing NTP and ppGpp concentrations, and studies on newly identified factors that affect rRNA transcription. We have also begun to use the tools of cell biology to explore the possibility that bacteria have nucleoli (i.e. a specific location where rRNA operons come together in the bacterial nucleoid). Projects in our lab involve a unique blend of microbial physiology, genetics, biochemistry, microscopy, structural analyses, and molecular modeling.

Representative Publications

  • Haugen, S.P., Berkmen, M.B, Ross, W., Gaal, T., Ward, C. and Gourse, R.L. 2006. rRNA promoter regulation by nonoptimal binding of sigma region 1.2: an additional recognition element for RNA polymerase. Cell. 125:1069-1082.
  • Vrentas, C.E., Gaal, T., Ross, W., Ebright, R.H. and Gourse, R.L. 2005. Response of RNA polymerase to ppGpp: requirement for omega subunit and relief of this requirement by DksA. Genes Dev. 19:2378-2387.
  • Paul, B.J., Berkmen, M.B. and Gourse R.L. 2005. DksA potentiates direct activation of amino acid promoters by ppGpp. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 102:7823-2828.
  • Ross, W. and Gourse, R.L. 2005. Sequence-independent upstream DNA-alpha CTD interactions strongly stimulate Escherichia coli RNA polymerase-lacUV5 promoter association. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 102:291-296.
  • Paul, B.J., Barker, M.M., Ross, W., Schneider, D.A., Webb, C., Foster, J.W. and Gourse, R.L. 2004. DksA: A critical component of the transcription initiation machinery that potentiates the regulation of rRNA promoters by ppGpp and the initiating NTP. Cell. 118:311-322.