Success in incorporating horizontally transferred genes: the H-NS protein

Trends Microbiol. 2015 Feb;23(2):67-9. doi: 10.1016/j.tim.2014.12.009. Epub 2015 Jan 2.

Abstract

The nucleoid-associated protein H-NS silences unwanted expression of acquired foreign DNA. Ali and colleagues recently identified which horizontally-acquired genes are targeted by H-NS in Salmonella to avoid fitness loss. The reported data strengthen our view about the role of H-NS in bacterial evolution driven by horizontal gene transfer.

Keywords: H-NS; HGT; SPI1; Salmonella; StpA.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Enterobacteriaceae / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
  • Evolution, Molecular*
  • Gene Silencing*
  • Gene Transfer, Horizontal*
  • Genetic Fitness
  • Molecular Chaperones / genetics
  • Salmonella / genetics*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • H-NS protein, bacteria
  • Molecular Chaperones
  • StpA protein, E coli
  • StpA protein, Salmonella typhimurium