Position effects on promoter activity in Escherichia coli and their consequences for antibiotic-resistance determinants

Karen Cooke, Douglas F Browning, David J Lee, Jessica M A Blair, Helen E McNeill, Damon Huber, Stephen J W Busby, Jack A Bryant

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

The activity of any bacterial promoter is generally supposed to be set by its base sequence and the different transcription factors that bind in the local vicinity. Here, we review recent data indicating that the activity of the Escherichia coli lac operon promoter also depends upon its chromosomal location. Factors that affect promoter activity include the binding of nucleoid-associated proteins to neighbouring sequences, supercoiling and the activity of neighbouring promoters. We suggest that many bacterial promoters might be susceptible to similar position-dependent effects and we review recent data showing that the expression of mobile genes encoding antibiotic-resistance determinants is also location-dependent, both when carried on a bacterial chromosome or a conjugative plasmid.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)839-845
Number of pages7
JournalBiochemical Society Transactions
Volume47
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 28 Jun 2019

Keywords

  • Chromosomal Position Effects
  • Chromosomes, Bacterial
  • DNA Transposable Elements
  • Drug Resistance, Microbial/genetics
  • Escherichia coli/genetics
  • Lac Operon
  • Plasmids
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Transcription, Genetic

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Position effects on promoter activity in Escherichia coli and their consequences for antibiotic-resistance determinants'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this