Effects of nucleoid-associated proteins on bacterial chromosome structure and gene expression.
Bacterial nucleoid-associated proteins play a key role in the organisation, replication, segregation, repair and expression of bacterial chromosomes. Here, we review some recent progress in our understanding of the effects of these proteins on DNA and their biological role, focussing mainly on Escherichia coli and its chromosome. Certain nucleoid-associated proteins also regulate transcription initiation at specific promoters, and work in concert with dedicated transcription factors to regulate gene expression in response to growth phase and environmental change. Some specific examples, involving the E. coli IHF and Fis proteins, that illustrate new principles, are described in detail.
School of Immunity and Infection, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK.
Douglas F
DF
Browning
David C
DC
Grainger
Stephen Jw
SJ
Busby
D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D035021:Factor For Inversion Stimulation Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D034982:Integration Host Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D008954:Models, Biological
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D035021:Factor For Inversion Stimulation Protein; C501034:Fis protein, E coli; D034982:Integration Host Factors; C440502:integration host factor, E coli