Structure and partitioning of bacterial DNA: determined by a balance of compaction and expansion forces?
The mechanisms that determine chromosome structure and chromosome partitioning in bacteria are largely unknown. Here we discuss two hypotheses: (i) the structure of the Escherichia coli nucleoid is determined by DNA binding proteins and DNA supercoiling, representing a compaction force on the one hand, and by the coupled transcription/translation/translocation of plasma membrane and cell wall proteins, representing an expansion force on the other hand; (ii) the two forces are important for the partitioning process of chromosomes.
Woldringh
C L
CL
Institute for Molecular Cell Biology, BioCentrum, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Jensen
P R
PR
Westerhoff
H V
HV
D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004261:DNA Replication; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D004278:DNA, Superhelical / Q000502:physiology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics; D008957:Models, Genetic; D009690:Nucleic Acid Conformation
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004278:DNA, Superhelical; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins