Epigenetic phase variation of the pap operon in Escherichia coli

Trends Microbiol. 1996 Jan;4(1):5-9. doi: 10.1016/0966-842x(96)81498-3.

Abstract

Expression of the pyelonephritis-associated pilus (pap) operon in Escherichia coli is regulated by a complex epigenetic phase-variation mechanism involving the formation of differential DNA-methylation patterns. This review discusses how DNA-methylation patterns are formed by protein-DNA interactions and how methylation patterns, in turn, control pap gene expression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics*
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics*
  • Fimbriae, Bacterial / chemistry*
  • Forecasting
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial / genetics*
  • Methylation
  • Models, Molecular
  • Operon / genetics*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA, Bacterial