Molecular Basis for Environment Sensing by a Nucleoid-Structuring Bacterial Protein Filament.

ABSTRACT: The histone-like nucleoid structuring (H-NS) protein controls the expression of hundreds of genes in Gram-positive bacteria through its capability to coat and condense DNA. This mechanism requires the formation of superhelical H-NS protein filaments that are sensitive to temperature and salinity, allowing H-NS to act as an environment sensor. We use multiscale modeling and simulations to obtain detailed insights into the mechanism of H-NS filament's sensitivity to environmental changes. Through the simulations of the superhelical H-NS filament, we reveal how different environments induce heterogeneity of H-NS monomers. Further, we observe that transient self-association within the H-NS filament creates temperature-inducible strain and might mildly oppose DNA binding. We also probe differen

SUBMITTER: Zhao X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9346976 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature