BOX elements modulate gene expression in Streptococcus pneumoniae: impact on the fine-tuning of competence development

J Bacteriol. 2006 Dec;188(23):8307-12. doi: 10.1128/JB.00850-06. Epub 2006 Sep 22.

Abstract

More than 100 BOX elements are randomly distributed in intergenic regions of the pneumococcal genome. Here we demonstrate that these elements can affect expression of neighboring genes and present evidence that they are mobile. Together, our findings show that BOX elements enhance genetic diversity and genomic plasticity in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • Base Sequence
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial*
  • Genes, Bacterial / genetics
  • Genes, Bacterial / physiology*
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic / genetics
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / genetics
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / physiology*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • ComA protein, Bacteria
  • ComE protein, Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • DNA-Binding Proteins