title: Gene regulation in prokaryotes by subcellular relocalization of transcription factors.
abstract: Traditionally, prokaryotic transcriptional regulators were thought to be controlled by the binding of low-molecular-weight effector molecules--inducers and co-repressors. Here, we describe two examples of a novel mode of regulator control. In this mode, transcription factors "shuttle" between their operator sites on the chromosome and the inner face of the cytoplasmic membrane, where they are sequestered by specific transport systems. This change in the subcellular address corresponds to the on/off state of the target genes; thus, release or binding of the transcription regulators is controlled by the activity of these transporters.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Konstanz, 78457 Konstanz, Germany.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Böhm
authors.forename: Winfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Boos
mesh_terms: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology*; D012097:Repressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C068021:MalK protein, Bacteria; C489398:MalK protein, E coli; C058976:MalT protein, E coli; C111065:Mlc protein, E coli; D012097:Repressor Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors