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A SeqA hyperstructure and its interactions direct the replication and sequestration of DNA
Author(s) -
Norris V.,
Fralick J.,
Danchin A.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2000.02019.x
Subject(s) - biology , seqa protein domain , dna , gene , function (biology) , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , escherichia coli , dna replication , origin of replication , computational biology
A level of explanation in biology intermediate between macromolecules and cells has recently been proposed. This level is that of hyperstructures. One class of hyperstructures comprises the genes, mRNA, proteins and lipids that assemble to fulfil a particular function and disassemble when no longer required. To reason in terms of hyperstructures, it is essential to understand the factors responsible for their formation. These include the local concentration of sites on DNA and their cognate DNA‐binding proteins. In Escherichia coli , the formation of a SeqA hyperstructure via the phenomenon of local concentration may explain how the binding of SeqA to hemimethylated GATC sequences leads to the sequestration of newly replicated origins of replication.