Replication fork assembly at recombination intermediates is required for bacterial growth.

TitleReplication fork assembly at recombination intermediates is required for bacterial growth.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication1999
AuthorsLiu J, Xu L, Sandler SJ, Marians KJ
JournalProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Volume96
Issue7
Pagination3552-5
Date Published1999 Mar 30
ISSN0027-8424
KeywordsBacteria, Bacteriophage phi X 174, Base Sequence, DNA Polymerase III, DNA Replication, DNA-Binding Proteins, Escherichia coli, Molecular Sequence Data, Oligodeoxyribonucleotides, Open Reading Frames, Recombination, Genetic, Replication Protein A, Templates, Genetic
Abstract

PriA, a 3' --> 5' DNA helicase, directs assembly of a primosome on some bacteriophage and plasmid DNAs. Primosomes are multienzyme replication machines that contribute both the DNA-unwinding and Okazaki fragment-priming functions at the replication fork. The role of PriA in chromosomal replication is unclear. The phenotypes of priA null mutations suggest that the protein participates in replication restart at recombination intermediates. We show here that PriA promotes replication fork assembly at a D loop, an intermediate formed during initiation of homologous recombination. We also show that DnaC810, encoded by a naturally arising intergenic suppressor allele of the priA2::kan mutation, bypasses the need for PriA during replication fork assembly at D loops in vitro. These findings underscore the essentiality of replication fork restart at recombination intermediates under normal growth conditions in bacteria.

Alternate JournalProc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.
PubMed ID10097074