Structural highlights
Function
[IHFA_ECOLI] One of the 2 subunits of integration host factor (IHF), a specific DNA-binding protein that functions in genetic recombination as well as in transcriptional and translational control.[1] [2] Plays a crucial role in the lysogenic life cycle of bacteriophage lambda, as it is required not only in the recombination reaction, which inserts lambda DNA into the E.coli chromosome, but also for the synthesis of int and cI repressor, two phage proteins necessary for DNA insertion and repression, respectively. The synthesis of int and cI proteins is regulated indirectly by IHF via translational control of the lambda cII protein.[3] [4] Has an essential role in conjugative DNA transfer (CDT), the unidirectional transfer of ssDNA plasmid from a donor to a recipient cell. It is the central mechanism by which antibiotic resistance and virulence factors are propagated in bacterial populations. Part of the relaxosome, which facilitates a site- and strand-specific cut in the origin of transfer by TraI, at the nic site. Relaxosome formation requires binding of IHF and TraY to the oriT region, which then faciliates binding of TraI.[5] [6]
Evolutionary Conservation
Check, as determined by ConSurfDB. You may read the explanation of the method and the full data available from ConSurf.
Publication Abstract from PubMed
Architectural proteins that reconfigure the paths of DNA segments are required for the establishment of functional interfaces in many genomic transactions. A single-chain derivative of the DNA architectural protein integration host factor was found to adopt two stable conformational states in complex with a specific DNA target. In the so-called open state, the degree of protein-induced DNA bending is reduced significantly compared with the closed state. The conformational switch between these states is controlled by divalent metal binding in two electronegative zones arising from the lysine-to-glutamate substitution in the protein body proximal to the phosphate backbone of one DNA arm. We show that this switch can be employed to control the efficiency of site-specific recombination catalyzed by lambda integrase. Introduction of acidic residues at the protein-DNA interface holds potential for the design of metal-mediated switches for the investigation of functional relationships.
A divalent metal-mediated switch controlling protein-induced DNA bending.,Bao Q, Chen H, Liu Y, Yan J, Droge P, Davey CA J Mol Biol. 2007 Mar 30;367(3):731-40. Epub 2006 Oct 3. PMID:17276457[7]
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
References
- ↑ Nelson WC, Howard MT, Sherman JA, Matson SW. The traY gene product and integration host factor stimulate Escherichia coli DNA helicase I-catalyzed nicking at the F plasmid oriT. J Biol Chem. 1995 Nov 24;270(47):28374-80. PMID:7499339
- ↑ Ragonese H, Haisch D, Villareal E, Choi JH, Matson SW. The F plasmid-encoded TraM protein stimulates relaxosome-mediated cleavage at oriT through an interaction with TraI. Mol Microbiol. 2007 Feb;63(4):1173-84. PMID:17238924 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2006.05576.x
- ↑ Nelson WC, Howard MT, Sherman JA, Matson SW. The traY gene product and integration host factor stimulate Escherichia coli DNA helicase I-catalyzed nicking at the F plasmid oriT. J Biol Chem. 1995 Nov 24;270(47):28374-80. PMID:7499339
- ↑ Ragonese H, Haisch D, Villareal E, Choi JH, Matson SW. The F plasmid-encoded TraM protein stimulates relaxosome-mediated cleavage at oriT through an interaction with TraI. Mol Microbiol. 2007 Feb;63(4):1173-84. PMID:17238924 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2006.05576.x
- ↑ Nelson WC, Howard MT, Sherman JA, Matson SW. The traY gene product and integration host factor stimulate Escherichia coli DNA helicase I-catalyzed nicking at the F plasmid oriT. J Biol Chem. 1995 Nov 24;270(47):28374-80. PMID:7499339
- ↑ Ragonese H, Haisch D, Villareal E, Choi JH, Matson SW. The F plasmid-encoded TraM protein stimulates relaxosome-mediated cleavage at oriT through an interaction with TraI. Mol Microbiol. 2007 Feb;63(4):1173-84. PMID:17238924 doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2958.2006.05576.x
- ↑ Bao Q, Chen H, Liu Y, Yan J, Droge P, Davey CA. A divalent metal-mediated switch controlling protein-induced DNA bending. J Mol Biol. 2007 Mar 30;367(3):731-40. Epub 2006 Oct 3. PMID:17276457 doi:10.1016/j.jmb.2006.09.082