Transcription of essential cell division genes is linked to chromosome replication in Escherichia coli

• Published in: Molecular microbiology Vol. 40; no. 4; pp. 909 - 916
• Main Authors: Liu, Guowen, Begg, Ken, Geddes, Auste, Donachie, William D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science, Ltd 01.05.2001; Blackwell Publishing Ltd
• Subjects: Bacterial Proteins - drug effects; Bacterial Proteins - genetics; Bacterial Proteins - metabolism; Cell Division - drug effects; Cell Division - genetics; Chromosomes, Bacterial; Cytoskeletal Proteins; Cytoskeleton - drug effects; DNA Replication - drug effects; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - cytology; Escherichia coli - drug effects; Escherichia coli - genetics; Escherichia coli Proteins; mra gene; Multigene Family; Mutation; Nalidixic Acid - pharmacology; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Rec A Recombinases - drug effects; Rec A Recombinases - genetics; Rec A Recombinases - metabolism; Ribosomal Proteins - drug effects; Ribosomal Proteins - genetics; Thymidine - metabolism; Transcription, Genetic
• ISSN: 0950-382X; 1365-2958
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2001.02434.x

Cell division normally follows the completion of each round of chromosome replication in Escherichia coli. Transcription of the essential cell division genes clustered at the mra region is shown here to depend on continuing chromosomal DNA replication. After chromosome replication was blocked by either nalidixic acid treatment or thymine starvation, the transcription of these cell division genes was repressed significantly. This suggests a way in which cell division is controlled by chromosome replication.