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Proteins encoded by the Escherichia coli replication terminus region
P D Moir1, R Spiegelberg, I R Oliver
1Institute of Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Edinburgh, Scotland.
Journal of Bacteriology
|April 1, 1992
Summary
The Escherichia coli chromosome terminus region contains many unmapped protein-coding genes. These expressable genes are largely non-essential, explaining the region's sparse gene mapping.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- The Escherichia coli chromosome terminus region (31-35 min) has fewer mapped genes than other chromosomal areas.
- Much of this DNA appears dispensable, suggesting a lack of functional genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if the terminus region contains uncharacterized protein-coding sequences.
- To determine the coding capacity of cloned terminus region DNA.
Main Methods:
- Cloning of 44 kb of terminus region DNA (around trg at 31.4 min).
- Assessing protein synthesis from cloned DNA in vitro and in minicells.
Main Results:
- Over half of the cloned terminus region DNA's coding capacity was accounted for by synthesized proteins.
- Identified numerous expressable protein-coding sequences within the terminus region.
Conclusions:
- The terminus region of the E. coli chromosome is rich in expressable, though non-essential, protein-encoding genes.
- The low gene density is not due to a lack of coding sequences but rather their non-essential nature.