A bistable hysteretic switch in an activator-repressor regulated restriction-modification system.

ABSTRACT: Restriction-modification (RM) systems are extremely widespread among bacteria and archaea, and are often specified by mobile genetic elements. In type II RM systems, where the restriction endonuclease (REase) and protective DNA methyltransferase (MTase) are separate proteins, a major regulatory challenge is delaying expression of the REase relative to the MTase after RM genes enter a new host cell. Basic understanding of this regulation is available for few RM systems, and detailed understanding for none. The PvuII RM system is one of a large subset in which the central regulatory role is played by an activator-repressor protein (called C, for controller). REase expression depends upon activation by C, whereas expression of the MTase does not. Thus delay of REase expression depends on the

SUBMITTER: Williams K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3695507 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature