POLR3K is composed of 108 amino acids and has a molecular weight of approximately 12.5 kDa . The carboxy-terminal domain of POLR3K shares a high degree of sequence similarity with the carboxy-terminal domain of an RNA polymerase II elongation factor . This similarity is not just structural but also functional, as POLR3K is required for proper pausing and termination during transcription .
The recombinant form of Polymerase III Polypeptide K is produced using Escherichia coli (E. coli) expression systems . The recombinant protein typically includes an N-terminal His-tag to facilitate purification and detection. The production process involves cloning the POLR3K gene into an expression vector, transforming the vector into E. coli cells, and inducing protein expression. The recombinant protein is then purified using affinity chromatography techniques.
Recombinant POLR3K is used extensively in research to study the mechanisms of transcription and the role of RNA polymerase III in gene expression. It is also used in structural biology to understand the interactions between different subunits of RNA polymerase III and other transcription factors.
Recombinant POLR3K is typically stored in a buffer containing Tris-HCl, NaCl, glycerol, DTT, and EDTA to maintain its stability and activity . It should be stored at 4°C for short-term use and at -20°C for long-term storage. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles should be avoided to prevent protein degradation.