Open AccessInvolvement of Fis protein in replication of the Escherichia coli chromosome
Author(s) -
Marcin Filutowicz,
Wilma Ross,
Jadwiga Wild,
Richard L. Gourse
Publication year - 1992
Publication title -
journal of bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.652
H-Index - 246
eISSN - 1067-8832
pISSN - 0021-9193
DOI - 10.1128/jb.174.2.398-407.1992
Subject(s) - biology , mutant , seqa protein domain , dna replication , dna synthesis , plasmid , nucleoid , protein biosynthesis , microbiology and biotechnology , dna , escherichia coli , origin of replication , genetics , gene
We report evidence indicating that Fis protein plays a role in initiation of replication at oriC in vivo. At high temperatures, fis null mutants form filamentous cells, show aberrant nucleoid segregation, and are unable to form single colonies. DNA synthesis is inhibited in these fis mutant strains following upshift to 44 degrees C. The pattern of DNA synthesis inhibition upon temperature upshift and the requirement for RNA synthesis, but not protein synthesis, for resumed DNA synthesis upon downshift to 32 degrees C indicate that synthesis is affected in the initiation phase. fis mutations act synergistically with gyrB alleles known to affect initiation. oriC-dependent plasmids are poorly established and maintained in fis mutant strains. Finally, purified Fis protein interacts in vitro with sites in oriC. These interactions could be involved in mediating the effect of Fis on DNA synthesis in vivo.