DNA phosphorothioation in Streptomyces lividans: mutational analysis of the dnd locus.

ABSTRACT:

Background

A novel DNA phosphorothioate modification (DNA sulfur modification), in which one of the non-bridging oxygen atoms in the phosphodiester bond linking DNA nucleotides is exchanged by sulphur, was found to be genetically determined by dnd or dnd-counterpart loci in a wide spectrum of bacteria from diverse habitats. A detailed mutational analysis of the individual genes within the dnd locus in Streptomyces lividans responsible for DNA phosphorothioation was performed and is described here. It should be of great help for the mechanistic study of this intriguing system.

Results

A 6,665-bp DNA region carrying just five ORFs (dndA-E) was defined as the sole determinant for modification of the DNA backbone in S. lividans to form phosphorothioate. This provides a diagnosti

SUBMITTER: Xu T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2653506 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature