Gene transcription and chromosome replication in Escherichia coli

Ping Zhou, Joseph A. Bogan, Keven Welch, Samuel R. Pickett, Hsiu J.U. Wang, Arieh Zaritsky, Charles E. Helmstetter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transcript levels of several Escherichia coli genes involved in chromosome replication and cell division were measured in dnaC2(Ts) mutants synchronized for chromosome replication by temperature shifts. Levels of transcripts from four of the genes, dam, nrdA, mukB, and seqA, were reduced at a certain stage during chromosome replication. The magnitudes of the decreases were similar to those reported previously for ftsQ and ftsZ (P. Zhou and C. E. Helmstetter, J. Bacteriol. 176:6100-6106, 1994) but considerably less than those seen with dnaA, gidA, and mioC (P. W. Theisen, J. E. Grimwade, A. C. Leonard, J. A. Bogan, and C. E. Helmstetter, Mol. Microbiol. 10:575-584, 1993). The decreases in transcripts appeared to correlate with the estimated time at which the genes replicated. This same conclusion was reached in studies with synchronous cultures obtained with the baby machine in those instances in which perindicities in transcript levels were clearly evident. The transcriptional levels for two genes, minE and tus, did not fluctuate significantly, whereas the transcripts for one gene, iciA, appeared to increase transiently. The results support the idea that cell cycle timing in E. coli is nut governed by timed bursts of gene expression, since the overall findings summarized in this report are generally consistent with cell cycle-dependent transient inhibitions of transcription rather than stimulations.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)163-169
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Bacteriology
Volume179
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1997

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology

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