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Abstract
The Escherichia coli curved DNA binding protein A (CbpA) is a poorly characterised nucleoid associated factor and co-chaperone. It is expressed at high levels as cells enter stationary phase. Using genetics, biochemistry, and genomics, we have examined regulation of, and DNA binding by, CbpA. We show that Fis, the dominant growth-phase nucleoid protein, prevents CbpA expression in growing cells. Regulation by Fis involves an unusual “insulation” mechanism. Thus, Fis protects cbpA from the effects of a distal promoter, located in an adjacent gene. In stationary phase, when Fis levels are low, CbpA binds the E. coli chromosome with a preference for the intrinsically curved Ter macrodomain. Disruption of the cbpA gene prompts dramatic changes in DNA topology. Thus, our work identifies a novel role for Fis and incorporates CbpA into the growing network of factors that mediate bacterial chromosome structure.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e1003152 |
Journal | PLoS Genetics |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 17 Jan 2013 |
Keywords
- Bacterial genomics
- Cell binding
- Cell fusion
- Chromosomes
- DNA sequences
- DNA transcription
- DNA-binding proteins
- RNA polymerase
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Dive into the research topics of 'E. coli Fis protein insulates the cbpA gene from uncontrolled transcription'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 2 Finished
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Controlling Chromosome structure in starved bacteria
Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council
1/03/11 → 30/09/13
Project: Research Councils