Dynamics of transcription of closely spaced promoters in Escherichia coli, one event at a time

► We study the kinetics of genes are driven by closely spaced promoters in E. coli. ► We use a model at the molecule and nucleotide level with delayed stochastic dynamics. ► Interference between polymerases correlates the production of the two RNAs. ► The correlation depends on the geometry, the distance between TSSs and repressors. ► The sequence between two adjacent TSS may be subject to strong selective pressure.