Transcription of DNA is a fundamental process in all cellular organisms. The enzyme responsible for transcription, RNA polymerase, is conserved in general architecture and catalytic function across the three domains of life. Diverse mechanisms are used among and within the different branches to regulate transcription initiation. Mechanistic studies of transcription initiation in bacteria are especially amenable because the promoter recognition and melting steps are much less complicated than in eukaryotes or archaea. Also, bacteria have critical roles in human health as pathogens and commensals, and the bacterial RNA polymerase is a proven target for antibiotics. Recent biophysical studies of RNA polymerases and their inhibition, as well as transcription initiation and transcription factors, have detailed the mechanisms of transcription initiation in phylogenetically diverse bacteria, inspiring this Review to examine unifying and diverse themes in this process.

DNA 的转录是所有细胞生物的基本过程。负责转录的酶 RNA 聚合酶在生命的三个领域的一般结构和催化功能中是保守的。在不同的分支之间和内部使用不同的机制来调节转录起始。细菌转录起始的机制研究特别适合，因为启动子识别和解链步骤比真核生物或古细菌要简单得多。此外，细菌作为病原体和共生体在人类健康中起着至关重要的作用，细菌 RNA 聚合酶是抗生素的公认靶点。最近对 RNA 聚合酶及其抑制作用以及转录起始和转录因子的生物物理学研究，