Transcriptome analyses of cells carrying the Type II Csp231I restriction-modification system reveal cross-talk between two unrelated transcription factors: C protein and the Rac prophage repressor.

ABSTRACT: Restriction-modification (R-M) systems represent an effective mechanism of defence against invading bacteriophages, and are widely spread among bacteria and archaea. In acquiring a Type II R-M system via horizontal gene transfer, the new hosts become more resistant to phage infection, through the action of a restriction endonuclease (REase), which recognizes and cleaves specific target DNAs. To protect the host cell's DNA, there is also a methyltransferase (MTase), which prevents DNA cleavage by the cognate REase. In some R-M systems, the host also accepts a cis-acting transcription factor (C protein), which regulates the counteracting activities of REase and MTase to avoid host self-restriction. Our study characterized the unexpected phenotype of Escherichia coli cells, which manifested a

SUBMITTER: Negri A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6765115 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature