title: The Escherichia Coli Hfq Protein: An Unattended DNA-Transactions Regulator.
abstract: The Hfq protein was discovered in Escherichia coli as a host factor for bacteriophage Qβ RNA replication. Subsequent studies indicated that Hfq is a pleiotropic regulator of bacterial gene expression. The regulatory role of Hfq is ascribed mainly to its function as an RNA-chaperone, facilitating interactions between bacterial non-coding RNA and its mRNA target. Thus, it modulates mRNA translation and stability. Nevertheless, Hfq is able to interact with DNA as well. Its role in the regulation of DNA-related processes has been demonstrated. In this mini-review, it is discussed how Hfq interacts with DNA and what is the role of this protein in regulation of DNA transactions. Particularly, Hfq has been demonstrated to be involved in the control of ColE1 plasmid DNA replication, transposition, and possibly also transcription. Possible mechanisms of these Hfq-mediated regulations are described and discussed.
authors: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk Gdańsk, Poland.
authors: Grzegorz M
authors: GM
authors: Cech
authors: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk Gdańsk, Poland.
authors: Agnieszka
authors: A
authors: Szalewska-Pałasz
authors: Department of Molecular Biology, University of GdańskGdańsk, Poland; Laboratoire Léon Brillouin, CEA, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris Saclay, CEA SaclayGif-sur-Yvette, France; IPCMS/Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueStrasbourg, France.
authors: Krzysztof
authors: K
authors: Kubiak
authors: Laboratoire Léon Brillouin, CEA, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris Saclay, CEA Saclay Gif-sur-Yvette, France.
authors: Antoine
authors: A
authors: Malabirade
authors: IPCMS/Centre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueStrasbourg, France; Universite Paris Diderot, UFR Science du VivantParis, France.
authors: Wilfried
authors: W
authors: Grange
authors: Laboratoire Léon Brillouin, CEA, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université Paris Saclay, CEA SaclayGif-sur-Yvette, France; Universite Paris Diderot, UFR Science du VivantParis, France.
authors: Veronique
authors: V
authors: Arluison
authors: Department of Molecular Biology, University of Gdańsk Gdańsk, Poland.
authors: Grzegorz
authors: G
authors: Węgrzyn
keywords: DNA replication; Hfq; RNA chaperone; nucleoid associated protein; transposition