Abstract
The Bacillus subtilis DnaD protein is an essential protein and a component of the oriC and PriA primosomal cascades, which are responsible for loading the main replicative ring helicase DnaC onto DNA. We present evidence that DnaD also has a global DNA architectural activity, assembling into large nucleoprotein complexes on a plasmid and counteracting plasmid compaction in a manner analogous to that recently seen for the histone-like Escherichia coli HU proteins. This DNA-remodeling role may be an essential function for initiation of DNA replication in the Gram +ve B. subtilis, thus highlighting DnaD as the link between bacterial nucleoid reorganization and initiation of DNA replication.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Bacillus subtilis / chemistry*
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Bacillus subtilis / genetics
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Bacillus subtilis / metabolism*
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Bacterial Proteins / genetics
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Bacterial Proteins / isolation & purification
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Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
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Chromatography, Gel
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DNA Helicases / genetics
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DNA Helicases / metabolism
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DNA Replication*
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DNA, Bacterial
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
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DNA-Binding Proteins / isolation & purification
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Microscopy, Atomic Force
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Models, Biological
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Ultracentrifugation
Substances
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Bacterial Proteins
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DNA, Bacterial
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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DnaD protein, Bacillus subtilis
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DnaI protein, Bacillus subtilis
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DNA Helicases