Transcription-driven DNA supercoiling counteracts H-NS-mediated gene silencing in bacterial chromatin.

ABSTRACT: In all living cells, genomic DNA is compacted through interactions with dedicated proteins and/or the formation of plectonemic coils. In bacteria, DNA compaction is achieved dynamically, coordinated with dense and constantly changing transcriptional activity. H-NS, a major bacterial nucleoid structuring protein, is of special interest due to its interplay with RNA polymerase. H-NS:DNA nucleoprotein filaments inhibit transcription initiation by RNA polymerase. However, the discovery that genes silenced by H-NS can be activated by transcription originating from neighboring regions has suggested that elongating RNA polymerases can disassemble H-NS:DNA filaments. In this study, we present evidence that transcription-induced counter-silencing does not require transcription to reach the silenced

SUBMITTER: Figueroa-Bossi N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10981669 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature