Transcriptional Dynamics of Mfd

DNA damage is disruptive to both DNA replication and transcription and thus must be repaired in a timely fashion to ensure proper cell function and viability. The prokaryotic transcription‐repair coupling factor, Mfd, binds to RNA polymerase and is known to be a key player in transcription coupled repair. Yet due to a lack of structural information, interactions of Mfd with a transcription elongation complex (TEC) have been poorly understood. Here we have carried out comprehensive studies to examine Mfd‐TEC interactions using novel single molecule methods. We will discuss results on the dynamic and mechanical nature of these interactions and how Mfd can regulate the motor activities of RNA polymerase. These results provide a broader picture of how transcription may be regulated by Mfd.