FtsK Protein and E. coli Chromosome Segregation
Author Information
Author(s): Deghorain Marie, Pagès Carine, Meile Jean-Christophe, Stouf Mathieu, Capiaux Hervé, Mercier Romain, Lesterlin Christian, Hallet Bernard, Cornet François
Primary Institution: Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Génétique Moléculaire, CNRS, Toulouse, France
Hypothesis
How does the FtsK protein interact with different regions of the E. coli chromosome during segregation?
Conclusion
A specific region of the E. coli chromosome is dedicated to the last steps of chromosome segregation and is processed preferentially by the FtsK protein.
Supporting Evidence
- The FtsK protein is essential for both cell division and faithful chromosome segregation.
- FtsK preferentially interacts with a ∼400 kb region around the natural position of the dif site.
- Segregation of the FtsK high activity region is delayed compared to adjacent regions.
Takeaway
The FtsK protein helps separate the DNA in E. coli when the cell divides, and it works best in a special part of the DNA that is important for this process.
Methodology
The study used XerCD/dif recombination as a genetic trap to probe the interaction of FtsK with various chromosome loci.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website