Less is more: Neisseria gonorrhoeae RecX protein stimulates recombination by inhibiting RecA.
Escherichia coli RecX (RecX(Ec)) is a negative regulator of RecA activities both in the bacterial cell and in vitro. In contrast, the Neisseria gonorrhoeae RecX protein (RecX(Ng)) enhances all RecA-related processes in N. gonorrhoeae. Surprisingly, the RecX(Ng) protein is not a RecA protein activator in vitro. Instead, RecX(Ng) is a much more potent inhibitor of all RecA(Ng) and RecA(Ec) activities than is the E. coli RecX ortholog. A series of RecX(Ng) mutant proteins representing a gradient of functional deficiencies provide a direct correlation between RecA(Ng) inhibition in vitro and the enhancement of RecA(Ng) function in N. gonorrhoeae. Unlike RecX(Ec), RecX(Ng) does not simply cap the growing ends of RecA filaments, but it directly facilitates a more rapid RecA filament disassembly. Thus, in N. gonorrhoeae, recombinational processes are facilitated by RecX(Ng) protein-mediated limitations on RecA(Ng) filament presence and/or length to achieve maximal function.
Gruenig
Marielle C
MC
Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin 53706, USA.
Stohl
Elizabeth A
EA
Chitteni-Pattu
Sindhu
S
Seifert
H Steven
HS
Cox
Michael M
MM
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009344:Neisseria gonorrhoeae / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D011938:Rec A Recombinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D011995:Recombination, Genetic
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C531244:RecX protein, E coli; C430523:RecX protein, Xanthomonas campestris; D011938:Rec A Recombinases