The HU regulon is composed of genes responding to anaerobiosis, acid stress, high osmolarity and SOS induction.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The Escherichia coli heterodimeric HU protein is a small DNA-bending protein associated with the bacterial nucleoid. It can introduce negative supercoils into closed circular DNA in the presence of topoisomerase I. Cells lacking HU grow very poorly and display many phenotypes.

Methodology/principal findings

We analyzed the transcription profile of every Escherichia coli gene in the absence of one or both HU subunits. This genome-wide in silico transcriptomic approach, performed in parallel with in vivo genetic experimentation, defined the HU regulon. This large regulon, which comprises 8% of the genome, is composed of four biologically relevant gene classes whose regulation responds to anaerobiosis, acid stress, high osmolarity, and SOS induction.

Conclusions/s

SUBMITTER: Oberto J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2634741 | biostudies-literature | 2009

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature