Pervasive regulation of nucleoid structure and function by nucleoid-associated proteins

Curr Opin Microbiol. 2011 Apr;14(2):136-41. doi: 10.1016/j.mib.2011.01.003. Epub 2011 Jan 31.

Abstract

Bacterial DNA is organised in a compact nucleoid body that is tightly associated with the coupled transcription and translation of mRNAs. This structure contains abundant DNA-binding proteins which perform both structural and regulatory roles, and, in Escherichia coli, serve to buffer and organise pervasive DNA superhelicity. We argue that NAPs coordinate regulation of gene expression and superhelicity at the global (or chromosomal) and at local (corresponding to promoter activity and genetic recombination) levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Chromosomes, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • Chromosomes, Bacterial / ultrastructure*
  • DNA, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • DNA, Bacterial / ultrastructure*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli / physiology*
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
  • Protein Biosynthesis
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Escherichia coli Proteins