Abstract

In Escherichia coli, ATP-bound DnaA protein can initiate chromosomal replication. After initiation, DnaA-ATP is hydrolyzed by interactions with a complex containing a replicase subunit to yield the inactive ADP-DnaA. However, the mechanisms which regenerate ATP-DnaA from ADP-DnaA are not well understood. We report here that a 70-bp DNA segment promotes exchange of the DnaA-bound nucleotide in a sequence-specific manner, thus reactivating the initiation function of DnaA in vitro. This segment contains a typical DnaA-binding 9-mer motif, the DnaA box, and two DnaA box-like sequences. The presence and precise composition of these three motifs are required for the DnaA-reactivating activity, which suggests that a highly ordered complex which includes multimeric DnaA molecules is formed for isomerization of DnaA. We named this DNA segment DARS, for DnaA-reactivating sequence. The role of DARS in regulation of DnaA function in vivo is discussed.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.