Abstract
When a plasmid containing restriction-modification (R-M) genes enters a naïve host, unmodified host DNA can be destroyed by restriction endonuclease. Therefore, expression of R-M genes must be regulated to ensure that enough methyltransferase is produced and that host DNA is methylated before the endonuclease synthesis begins. In several R-M systems, specialized Control (C) proteins coordinate expression of the R and the M genes. C proteins bind to DNA sequences called C-boxes and activate expression of their cognate R genes and inhibit the M gene expression, however the mechanisms remain undefined. Here, we studied the regulation of gene expression in the C protein-dependent EcoRV system. We map the divergent EcoRV M and R gene promoters and we define the site of C protein-binding that is sufficient for activation of the EcoRV R transcription.
Publication types
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Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
MeSH terms
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Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
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Base Sequence
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Binding Sites
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DNA, Bacterial / chemistry
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DNA, Bacterial / metabolism
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Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific / biosynthesis
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Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific / genetics*
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Escherichia coli / genetics
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Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial*
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Molecular Sequence Data
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Open Reading Frames
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Promoter Regions, Genetic
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Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
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Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific) / biosynthesis
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Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific) / genetics*
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Transcription Initiation Site
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Transcription, Genetic
Substances
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Bacterial Proteins
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DNA, Bacterial
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DNA modification methylase EcoRV
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Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific)
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Deoxyribonucleases, Type II Site-Specific
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GATATC-specific type II deoxyribonucleases