Translational control by antisense RNA in control of plasmid replication.
Control of replication of plasmids involves two processes: measurement of the copy number of the plasmid and adjustment of the replication frequency accordingly. For both these processes IncFII plasmids use an antisense RNA (CopA RNA) that forms a duplex with the upstream region (CopT) of the mRNA of the rate-limiting RepA protein. The kinetics of duplex formation was measured in vitro for the wild type and for a cop mutant plasmid; the mutant showed a reduction in the second-order rate constant for the formation of the RNA duplex and a similar increase in copy number. Hence, the kinetics of duplex formation and the concentration of CopA RNA determines the copy number of the plasmid.
Nordström
K
K
Department of Microbiology, University of Uppsala, Sweden.
Wagner
E G
EG
Persson
C
C
Blomberg
P
P
Ohman
M
M
D001483:Base Sequence; D004261:DNA Replication; D007700:Kinetics; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010957:Plasmids; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D012313:RNA / Q000235:genetics*; D016372:RNA, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D016372:RNA, Antisense; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012313:RNA