The topoisomerase IV ParC subunit colocalizes with the Caulobacter replisome and is required for polar localization of replication origins.
The process of bacterial DNA replication generates chromosomal topological constraints that are further confounded by simultaneous transcription. Topoisomerases play a key role in ensuring orderly replication and partition of DNA in the face of a continuously changing DNA tertiary structure. In addition to topological constraints, the cellular position of the replication origin is strictly controlled during the cell cycle. In Caulobacter crescentus, the origin of DNA replication is located at the cell pole. Upon initiation of DNA replication, one copy of the duplicated origin sequence rapidly appears at the opposite cell pole. To determine whether the maintenance of DNA topology contributes to the dynamic positioning of a specific DNA region within the cell, we examined origin localization in cells that express temperature-sensitive forms of either the ParC or ParE subunit of topoisomerase (Topo) IV. We found that in the absence of active Topo IV, replication initiation can occur but a significant percent of replication origins are either no longer moved to or maintained at the cell poles. During the replication process, the ParC subunit colocalizes with the replisome, whereas the ParE subunit is dispersed throughout the cell. However, an active ParE subunit is required for ParC localization to the replisome as it moves from the cell pole to the division plane during chromosome replication. We propose that the maintenance of DNA topology throughout the cell cycle contributes to the dynamic positioning of the origin sequence within the cell.
Wang
Sherry C
SC
Department of Developmental Biology, and Cancer Biology Program, Stanford University School of Medicine, Beckman Center B300, 279 Campus Drive, Stanford, CA 94305, USA.
Shapiro
Lucy
L
D001483:Base Sequence; D016934:Caulobacter / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D002453:Cell Cycle; D017931:DNA Primers; D004261:DNA Replication / Q000235:genetics*; D027101:DNA Topoisomerase IV / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D021122:Protein Subunits / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D018741:Replication Origin / Q000235:genetics*
D017931:DNA Primers; D021122:Protein Subunits; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D027101:DNA Topoisomerase IV