What is it about?
The study provides a model to examine how gene expression can be regulated by "the wrong" signalling systems that evolved from the same type (in this case sigma-54 regulated systems). These erroneous transcriptional activations may only be noticed in the absence of the correct signaling system.
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Why is it important?
The model demonstrates how the absence of the correct signalling systems can bring about activation of transcription of the target gene from signalling systems of similar evolutionary origin in response to erroneous signals. For example here how nitrogen status monitored by NtrBC may activate transcription of a transporter for dicarboxylates in the absence of its correct sensor-regulator pair (DctBD).
Perspectives
This model taught me to be aware of the context in which signalling systems evolved, and potentially how challenging it is to interpret consequences of knock-out/knock-down of systems. The observations made in knock out models has to acknowledge the potential for artefacts brought about by transcriptional signal noise.
Dr David Allaway
Mars Inc
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: NtrBC-dependent expression from theRhizobium meliloti dctApromoter inEscherichia coli, FEMS Microbiology Letters, May 1995, Oxford University Press (OUP),
DOI: 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1995.tb07531.x.
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