DNA topology
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyFEDS: a Novel Fluorescence-Based High-Throughput Method for Measuring DNA Supercoiling In VivoDNA represents the chemical support of genetic information in all forms of life. In addition to its linear sequence of nucleotides, it bears critical information in its structure. This information, called DNA supercoiling, is central to all fundamental DNA processes, such as transcription and replication, and defines cellular physiology. Unlike reading of a nucleotide sequence, DNA supercoiling determinations have been laborious. We...
Research Article | Molecular Biology and PhysiologyThe Stringent Response Inhibits DNA Replication Initiation in E. coli by Modulating Supercoiling of oriCTo survive bouts of starvation, cells must inhibit DNA replication. In bacteria, starvation triggers production of a signaling molecule called ppGpp (guanosine tetraphosphate) that helps reprogram cellular physiology, including inhibiting new rounds of DNA replication. While ppGpp has been known to block replication initiation in Escherichia coli for decades, the...