Abstract
H-NS is an abundant nucleoid-associated protein in bacteria that globally silences genes, including horizontally-acquired genes related to pathogenesis. Although it has been shown that H-NS has multiple modes of DNA-binding, which mode is employed in gene silencing is still unclear. Here, we report that in H-NS mutants that are unable to silence genes, are unable to form a rigid H-NS nucleoprotein filament. These results indicate that the H-NS nucleoprotein filament is crucial for its gene silencing function, and serves as the fundamental structural basis for gene silencing by H-NS and likely other H-NS-like bacterial proteins.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
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Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
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DNA, Bacterial / genetics
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DNA, Bacterial / metabolism
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DNA, Bacterial / ultrastructure
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DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
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DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
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Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial
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Gene Silencing*
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Macromolecular Substances / chemistry
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Macromolecular Substances / metabolism
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Macromolecular Substances / ultrastructure
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Microscopy, Atomic Force
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Models, Biological
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Mutation
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Nucleoproteins / metabolism*
Substances
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Bacterial Proteins
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DNA, Bacterial
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DNA-Binding Proteins
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H-NS protein, bacteria
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Macromolecular Substances
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Nucleoproteins