title: H-NS and RNA polymerase: a love-hate relationship?
abstract: Histone-like nucleoid structuring (H-NS) protein is a component of bacterial chromatin and influences gene expression both locally and on a global scale. Although H-NS is broadly considered a silencer of transcription, the mechanisms by which H-NS inhibits gene expression remain poorly understood. Here we discuss recent advances in the context of a 'love-hate' relationship between H-NS and RNA polymerase, in which these factors recognise similar DNA sequences but interfere with each other's activity. Understanding the complex relationship between H-NS and RNA polymerase may unite the multiple models that have been proposed to describe gene silencing by H-NS.
authors: Department of Biochemistry, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA; Department of Bacteriology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA. Electronic address: landick@bact.wisc.edu.
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Landick
authors: Wadsworth Center, New York State Department of Health, Albany, NY 12208, USA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, University at Albany, State University of New York, Albany, 12201, USA. Electronic address: joseph.wade@health.ny.gov.
authors: Joseph T
authors: JT
authors: Wade
authors: Institute of Microbiology and Infection, School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK. Electronic address: d.grainger@bham.ac.uk.
authors: David C
authors: DC
authors: Grainger
mesh_terms: D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006657:Histones / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; C031908:H-NS protein, bacteria; D006657:Histones; D012321:DNA-Directed RNA Polymerases