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. 1971 Jan;68(1):6–9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.68.1.6

The Folded Genome of Escherichia coli Isolated in a Protein-DNA-RNA Complex

O Gordon Stonington 1, David E Pettijohn 1
PMCID: PMC391088  PMID: 4924971

Abstract

The DNA of Escherichia coli has been isolated in a compact structure containing small amounts of protein and RNA and having a sedimentation coefficient of approximately 3200 S. The molecular weight of the DNA in the complex is very large (probably higher than 109); the protein is predominantly core RNA polymerase; the RNA is chiefly nascent messenger and ribosomal chains. Solutions containing the complex have low viscosities; this plus its sedimentation rate suggest that the DNA is in a tightly folded conformation. The DNA unfolds after exposure to RNase or heat; this indicates that an RNA component of the complex is involved in stabilizing the structure.

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Selected References

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