Structural insights into the cooperative binding of SeqA to a tandem GATC repeat.

ABSTRACT: SeqA is a negative regulator of DNA replication in Escherichia coli and related bacteria that functions by sequestering the origin of replication and facilitating its resetting after every initiation event. Inactivation of the seqA gene leads to unsynchronized rounds of replication, abnormal localization of nucleoids and increased negative superhelicity. Excess SeqA also disrupts replication synchrony and affects cell division. SeqA exerts its functions by binding clusters of transiently hemimethylated GATC sequences generated during replication. However, the molecular mechanisms that trigger formation and disassembly of such complex are unclear. We present here the crystal structure of a dimeric mutant of SeqA [SeqADelta(41-59)-A25R] bound to tandem hemimethylated GATC sites. The structur

SUBMITTER: Chung YS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2691817 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature