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Two distinct classes of FixJ binding sites defined by in vitro selection
Author(s) -
Ferrières Lionel,
Kahn Daniel
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
febs letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.593
H-Index - 257
eISSN - 1873-3468
pISSN - 0014-5793
DOI - 10.1016/s0014-5793(02)02618-2
Subject(s) - biology , sinorhizobium meliloti , gene , dna , genetics , selection (genetic algorithm) , in vitro , binding site , mutant , artificial intelligence , computer science
The phosphorylated FixJ transcriptional activator is key to nitrogen fixation in Sinorhizobium meliloti , switching both the nifA and fixK genes on. Previously no consensus picture emerged concerning the nature of FixJ binding sites. Here we used in vitro DNA selection in order to systematically characterise FixJ binding sequences. This led to the definition of two classes of sites. Class I sites share the CTAAGTAGTTTCCC sequence found in the fixK promoter, whereas class II sites are defined by a GTAMGTAG consensus octamer. Our results indicate that FixJ∼P binds DNA following two distinct binding modes.