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What is the mechanism of ParA-mediated DNA movement?

Lookup NU author(s): Professor Kenn Gerdes

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Abstract

The stable maintenance of low-copy-number plasmids requires active partitioning, with the most common mechanism in prokaryotes involving the ATPase ParA. ParA proteins undergo intricate spatiotemporal relocations across the nucleoid, dynamics that function to position plasmids at equally spaced intervals. This spacing naturally guarantees equal partitioning of plasmids to each daughter cell. However, the fundamental mechanism linking ParA dynamics with regular plasmid positioning has proved difficult to dissect. In this issue of Molecular Microbiology, Vecchiarelli et al. report on a time-delay mechanism that allows a slow cycling between the nucleoid-bound and unbound forms of ParA. The authors also propose a mechanism for plasmid movement that does not rely on ParA polymerization. © 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Howard M, Gerdes K

Publication type: Note

Publication status: Published

Journal: Molecular Microbiology

Year: 2010

Volume: 78

Issue: 1

Pages: 9-12

Print publication date: 27/07/2010

ISSN (print): 0950-382X

ISSN (electronic): 1365-2958

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07316.x

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2010.07316.x

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