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. 1993 Aug 11;21(16):3667–3670. doi: 10.1093/nar/21.16.3667

Sigma s-dependent promoters in Escherichia coli are located in DNA regions with intrinsic curvature.

M Espinosa-Urgel 1, A Tormo 1
PMCID: PMC309863  PMID: 8367283

Abstract

Expression of a number of genes during stationary phase in Escherichia coli is controlled by the alternative sigma factor sigma s (KatF). Promoters recognized by sigma s do not present a well-defined consensus sequence in their -10 and -35 regions. By polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of DNA fragments performed at different temperatures, and by computer prediction analyses, we have found that sigma s-regulated promoters are located in regions where DNA shows intrinsic curvatures. This feature does not appear in a stationary-phase-induced promoter which is not controlled by sigma s. We propose that DNA bending may help in recognition and/or binding of sigma s to stationary-phase-induced promoters.

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Selected References

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