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Periodic formation of the oriC complex of Escherichia coli.
Author(s) -
Gayama S.,
Kataoka T.,
Wachi M.,
Tamura G.,
Nagai K.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
the embo journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 7.484
H-Index - 392
eISSN - 1460-2075
pISSN - 0261-4189
DOI - 10.1002/j.1460-2075.1990.tb07589.x
Subject(s) - biology , dnaa , seqa protein domain , origin recognition complex , pre replication complex , origin of replication , dna replication , replication factor c , control of chromosome duplication , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , eukaryotic dna replication , dna
We examined formation of an oriC‐membrane complex through the chromosome replication cycle by dot‐blot hybridization using an oriC plasmid as a probe. In a wild‐type culture synchronized for chromosome replication, oriC complex formation was observed periodically and transiently corresponding to the replication initiation event. Prior to initiation of replication the oriC complex was recovered in the outer membrane fraction as well as at the time of initiation of replication. Moreover, periodic formation of the oriC complex was observed even when further initiation of replication was suppressed by culturing an initiation ts mutant at the restrictive temperature. Similar periodic formation of the oriC complex was also observed when DNA elongation was inhibited by addition of nalidixic acid to the culture. However, the second periodic peak did not appear when rifampicin or chloramphenicol was added. Cells which formed the oriC complex at the restrictive temperature could immediately initiate chromosome replication when the cells were transferred to the permissive temperature. We conclude that the oriC region of Escherichia coli forms a specific complex periodically just before and at the time of initiation of chromosome replication and that oriC complex formation is a prerequisite for initiation of chromosome replication.