Beyond DnaA: The Role of DNA Topology and DNA Methylation in Bacterial Replication Initiation

What is it about?

The article covers the main aspects of the regulation of replication initiation in bacteria but it does not concentrate on the DnaA protein. We explain the dynamics of the initiation complex formation and discuss different regulatory factors connected with changes to the DNA structure in the origin region as well as the role of DNA methylases in this process.

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Why is it important?

Most of the excellent reviews concerning the initiation of replication in bacteria concentrate mainly on the regulation of the DnaA protein - the major player in this process. In this review we decided to discuss other aspects of the regulation of this important step of the cell cycle. We are convinced that in the near future our knowledge of the interplay between replication initiation and the dynamics of the bacterial chromosome will increase considerably.