The B. subtilis Rok protein is an atypical H-NS-like protein irresponsive to physico-chemical cues.

ABSTRACT: Nucleoid-associated proteins (NAPs) play a central role in chromosome organization and environment-responsive transcription regulation. The Bacillus subtilis-encoded NAP Rok binds preferentially AT-rich regions of the genome, which often contain genes of foreign origin that are silenced by Rok binding. Additionally, Rok plays a role in chromosome architecture by binding in genomic clusters and promoting chromosomal loop formation. Based on this, Rok was proposed to be a functional homolog of E. coli H-NS. However, it is largely unclear how Rok binds DNA, how it represses transcription and whether Rok mediates environment-responsive gene regulation. Here, we investigated Rok's DNA binding properties and the effects of physico-chemical conditions thereon. We demonstrate that Rok is a DNA bri

SUBMITTER: Erkelens AM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9757077 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature