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A dual role for the FtsK protein in Escherichia coli chromosome segregation
Author(s) -
Capiaux Hervé,
Lesterlin Christian,
Pérals Koryn,
Louarn Jean Michel,
Cornet François
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
embo reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 4.584
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1469-3178
pISSN - 1469-221X
DOI - 10.1093/embo-reports/kvf116
Subject(s) - recombination , chromosome segregation , biology , chromosome , escherichia coli , genetics , site specific recombination , cell division , microbiology and biotechnology , recombinase , gene , cell
FtsK is a multifunctional protein that acts in Escherichia coli cell division and chromosome segregation. Its C‐terminal domain is required for XerCD‐mediated recombination between dif sites that resolve chromosome dimers formed by recombination between sister chromosomes. We report the construction and analysis of a set of strains carrying different Xer recombination sites in place of dif , some of which recombine in an FtsK‐independent manner. The results show that FtsK‐independent Xer recombination does not support chromosome dimer resolution. Furthermore, resolution of dimers by the Cre/ loxP system also requires FtsK. These findings reveal a second role for FtsK during chromosome dimer resolution in addition to XerCD activation. We propose that FtsK acts to position the dif regions, thus allowing a productive synapse between dif sites.