How is Rho factor thought to terminate transcription in E. coli ? It binds to RN

Question

How is Rho factor thought to terminate transcription in E. coli?

It binds to RNA-DNA duplexes and blocks further transcription.

It binds to RNA upstream of the termination site and unwinds the RNA-DNA duplex, leading to termination of transcription.

It binds to double-stranded DNA downstream of the termination site and blocks further transcription.

It binds to single-stranded DNA downstream of the termination site and blocks further transcription.

It binds to RNA-DNA duplexes and blocks further transcription.

Explanation / Answer

Rho is a member of the family of ATP-dependent hexameric helicases that function by wrapping nucleic acids around a single cleft extending around the entire hexamer. Rho binds to RNA and then uses its ATPase activity to provide the energy to translocate along the RNA until it reaches the RNA–DNA helical region, where it unwinds the hybrid duplex structure. RNA polymerase pauses at the termination sequence, which is because there is a specific site around 100 nt away from the Rho binding site called the Rho-sensitive pause site.

So 'it binds to RNA upstream of the termination site and unwinds the RNA-DNA duplex, leading to termination of transcription' is the answer

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