The recombinational enhancer for DNA inversion functions independent of its orientation as a consequence of dyad symmetry in the Fis-DNA complex.
The Escherichia coli Fis protein binds to specific DNA sequences whose base composition varies enormously. One known function of Fis is to stimulate site-specific DNA recombination. We used the Gin-mediated DNA inversion system of bacteriophage Mu to analyze Fis-DNA interaction. Efficient inversion requires an enhancer which consists of two Fis binding sites at a fixed distance from each other. Using mutant enhancers in which one of the Fis binding sites is replaced we show that Fis binds symmetrically to the DNA and we locate the center of symmetry. Furthermore, we show that one of the Fis binding sites can be replaced by a Fis binding site that normally functions in a process other than site-specific recombination.
Kanaar
R
R
Department of Biochemistry, Leiden University, The Netherlands.
van Hal
J P
JP
van de Putte
P
P
D001483:Base Sequence; D001665:Binding Sites; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D004247:DNA / Q000378:metabolism*; D004254:DNA Nucleotidyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes; D004742:Enhancer Elements, Genetic; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D035021:Factor For Inversion Stimulation Protein; D034982:Integration Host Factors; D007700:Kinetics; D009154:Mutation; D010957:Plasmids
D002352:Carrier Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D035021:Factor For Inversion Stimulation Protein; D034982:Integration Host Factors; C440502:integration host factor, E coli; D004247:DNA; D004254:DNA Nucleotidyltransferases; C056830:DNA invertase Gin; D004262:DNA Restriction Enzymes