Gene regulation
Small DNA Binding Proteins in Bacteria
Integrity of the bacterial genome is essential to survival of the organism. Further, the size of the bacterial cell necessitates significant compaction of the genomic DNA, yet availability to various cellular machineries is important for cell growth. A variety of small DNA-binding proteins encompass these functions. These proteins are sometimes referred-to as histone-like, not because of sequence or structural similarity to eukaryotic histones, but because of comparable roles in nucleoid compaction. A number of such nucleoid-associated proteins have been identified in Escherichia coli, including H-NS, Fis, Dps (DNA protection during starvation), HU, and IHF (Integration Host Factor), all of which are present at concentrations up to or even exceeding 10 mM, depending on growth conditions. These proteins have different DNA-binding properties and function together (and sometimes opposing each other) to organize genomic DNA and to regulate DNA-dependent activities.
Further reading: Functional Evolution of Bacterial Histone-Like HU Proteins
Further reading: Functional Evolution of Bacterial Histone-Like HU Proteins
Antiviral Role of RNA Interference
Category: Regulation
from Michelle L. Flenniken, Mark Kunitomi, Michel Tassetto and Raul Andino in Insect Virology
Insects, like all living organisms, have developed defence mechanisms to resist infection. RNA interference (RNAi), a nucleic acid-based, post-transcriptional gene regulation process has recently emerged as a central pathway to anti-viral defence in insects. In this chapter, we outline the role of RNAi in insect immunity and highlight research that led to its discovery as well as research aimed at understanding the mechanistic details of anti-viral RNAi and the counter-measures viruses employ to modulate this immunological mechanism. As our knowledge of the pathways and mechanisms involved in insect immunity expands, so do the opportunities to employ insects as model systems to examine the general principles and co-evolution of hosts and their pathogens.
Further reading: Insect Virology
Insects, like all living organisms, have developed defence mechanisms to resist infection. RNA interference (RNAi), a nucleic acid-based, post-transcriptional gene regulation process has recently emerged as a central pathway to anti-viral defence in insects. In this chapter, we outline the role of RNAi in insect immunity and highlight research that led to its discovery as well as research aimed at understanding the mechanistic details of anti-viral RNAi and the counter-measures viruses employ to modulate this immunological mechanism. As our knowledge of the pathways and mechanisms involved in insect immunity expands, so do the opportunities to employ insects as model systems to examine the general principles and co-evolution of hosts and their pathogens.
Further reading: Insect Virology