[Proteins firmly bound to DNA in the E. coli nucleoid]

The nucleoid isolated from E. coli cells was subjected to further deletion by treatment with 2 M NaCl. After disintegration of this nucleoid by ultrasonication, two fractions were obtained, i. e., a rapidly (RS) and slowly sedimenting (SS) ones. The protein, RNA and DNA patterns in the RS fraction are similar to that of the eukaryotic cell nuclear matrix. Electrophoretic analysis of total non-dissociating by 2 M NaCl proteins revealed that the RS and SS fractions predominantly contain proteins with Mr 31,27 and 23 kD. The protein with Mr = 31 kD is firmly bound to DNA, does not dissociate in the guanidine hydrochloride (4 M)-urea (5 M) mixture as well as in solution of 1% sodium-dodecyl sulphate and may be responsible for the chromosome binding to the E. coli membrane.