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Updated: Aug 20, 2026

Determination of the Optimal Chromosomal Location(s) for a DNA Element in Escherichia coli Using a Novel Transposon-mediated Approach
Published on: September 11, 2017
The Bacillus subtilis DnaD protein: a putative link between DNA remodeling and initiation of DNA replication
Ian J Turner1, David J Scott, Stephanie Allen
1Laboratory of Biophysics and Surface Analysis (LBSA), School of Pharmacy, University of Nottingham, University Park, Nottingham NG7 2RD, UK.
Abstract:
The Bacillus subtilis DnaD protein is an essential protein and a component of the oriC and PriA primosomal cascades, which are responsible for loading the main replicative ring helicase DnaC onto DNA. We present evidence that DnaD also has a global DNA architectural activity, assembling into large nucleoprotein complexes on a plasmid and counteracting plasmid compaction in a manner analogous to that recently seen for the histone-like Escherichia coli HU proteins. This DNA-remodeling role may be an essential function for initiation of DNA replication in the Gram +ve B. subtilis, thus highlighting DnaD as the link between bacterial nucleoid reorganization and initiation of DNA replication.
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