Related Experiment Video
Updated: Feb 24, 2026
10:01
Probing mRNA Kinetics in Space and Time in Escherichia coli using Two-Color Single-Molecule Fluorescence In Situ Hybridization
Published on: July 30, 2020
8.0K
Measuring In Vivo Supercoil Dynamics and Transcription Elongation Rates in Bacterial Chromosomes
1Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Kaul Human Genetics Bldg. 524A, 720 20th Street South, Birmingham, AL, 35233, USA. nphiggin@uab.edu.
Methods in Molecular Biology (Clifton, N.J.)
|August 27, 2017
Summary
This study introduces new molecular tools to measure DNA supercoil density. These tools help analyze DNA gyrase
Area of Science:
- Molecular biology
- Genetics
- Biochemistry
Background:
- DNA gyrase is a crucial topoisomerase for introducing negative supercoils in DNA.
- DNA supercoiling is vital for DNA replication, transcription, and repair.
- Limited methods exist to measure supercoiling in vivo and link it to transcription.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop novel molecular tools for quantifying chromosomal DNA supercoil density.
- To investigate the role of DNA gyrase in transcription.
- To explore the interplay between DNA gyrase and other bacterial topoisomerases.
Main Methods:
- Development of molecular probes for supercoil density measurement.
- Integration of supercoiling assays with transcription analysis.
- Comparative studies with other bacterial topoisomerases.
Main Results:
- Established methods to accurately measure supercoil density in the bacterial chromosome.
- Demonstrated a direct link between DNA supercoiling and transcriptional activity.
- Provided insights into the functional interactions of DNA gyrase with other topoisomerases.
Conclusions:
- The developed tools offer a new way to study DNA topology and its regulation.
- Understanding DNA supercoiling is key to deciphering gene expression control.
- This work advances the study of DNA gyrase and its multifaceted roles in bacterial physiology.
Related Concept Videos
02:35Transcription Elongation Factors
14.2K
Transcription elongation is a dynamic process that alters depending upon the sequence heterogeneity of the DNA being transcribed. Hence, it is not surprising that the elongation complex's composition also varies along the way while transcribing a gene.
The transcription elongation is regulated via pausing of RNA polymerase on several occasions during transcription. In bacteria, these halts are necessary because the transcription of DNA into mRNA is coupled to the translation of that mRNA...
The transcription elongation is regulated via pausing of RNA polymerase on several occasions during transcription. In bacteria, these halts are necessary because the transcription of DNA into mRNA is coupled to the translation of that mRNA...
14.2K
01:32Replication in Prokaryotes
28.4K
DNA replication has three main steps: initiation, elongation, and termination. Replication in prokaryotes begins when initiator proteins bind to the single origin of replication (ori) on the cell's circular chromosome. Replication then proceeds around the entire circle of the chromosome in each direction from the two replication forks, resulting in two DNA molecules.
Many Proteins Work Together to Replicate the Chromosome
Replication is coordinated and carried out by a host of specialized...
Many Proteins Work Together to Replicate the Chromosome
Replication is coordinated and carried out by a host of specialized...
28.4K
02:35Replication in Prokaryotes
99.8K
Overview
99.8K
01:32Chromatin Packaging
19.9K
Each human somatic cell contains 6 billion base pairs of DNA. Each base pair is 0.34 nm long, meaning each diploid cell contains a staggering 2 meters of DNA. This long DNA strand is packed inside a nucleus measuring only 10-20 microns in diameter with the help of specialized DNA-binding proteins called histones. Together they form a compact DNA-protein complex called chromatin. The chromatin is further compacted into higher-order structures. The highest level of compaction is achieved during...
19.9K
01:29Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria
740
The DNA replication, transcription, and translation processes are intricately coupled in bacteria, allowing efficient gene expression and rapid protein synthesis. While this physical and functional coordination is advantageous, it introduces challenges that bacteria overcome through specific regulatory mechanisms.Coupling of Replication, Transcription, and TranslationThe coupling of replication, transcription, and translation is a hallmark of bacterial gene expression. As the replisome unwinds...
740
02:42Transcription Attenuation in Prokaryotes
18.7K
Transcriptional attenuation occurs when RNA transcription is prematurely terminated due to the formation of a terminator mRNA hairpin structure. Bacteria use these hairpins to regulate the transcription process and control the synthesis of several amino acids including histidine, lysine, threonine, and phenylalanine. Transcription attenuation takes place in the non-coding regions of mRNA.
There are several different mechanisms used to attenuate transcription. In ribosome mediated...
There are several different mechanisms used to attenuate transcription. In ribosome mediated...
18.7K