Interaction of Escherichia coli RNA polymerase with the ribosomal protein S1 and the Sm-like ATPase Hfq

We report evidence that ribosomal protein S1 and nucleic acid-binding protein Hfq copurify in molar ratios with RNA polymerase (RNAP). Purified SI associates independently with RNAP, and Hfq binding to polymerase occurs in the presence of SI. Looking for a functional role of the RNAP-S1-Hfq association, we studied the effects of S I and Hfq on transcription and coupled transcription-translation. S I was capable of significant stimulation of the RNAP transcriptional activity from a number of promoters; the stimulatory effect was observed on linear as well as supercoiled DNA templates. In addition, we present biochemical and genetic evidence of ATPase activity associated with the Sm-like hexameric nucleic acid-binding protein Hfq. The limited sequence homology between Hfq and known ATP-utilizing enzymes suggests a new class of ATPases.