39 research outputs found
An Epigenetic Switch Involving Overlapping Fur and DNA Methylation Optimizes Expression of a Type VI Secretion Gene Cluster
Type VI secretion systems (T6SS) are macromolecular machines of the cell envelope of Gram-negative bacteria responsible for bacterial killing and/or virulence towards different host cells. Here, we characterized the regulatory mechanism underlying expression of the enteroagregative Escherichia coli sci1 T6SS gene cluster. We identified Fur as the main regulator of the sci1 cluster. A detailed analysis of the promoter region showed the presence of three GATC motifs, which are target of the DNA adenine methylase Dam. Using a combination of reporter fusion, gel shift, and in vivo and in vitro Dam methylation assays, we dissected the regulatory role of Fur and Dam-dependent methylation. We showed that the sci1 gene cluster expression is under the control of an epigenetic switch depending on methylation: fur binding prevents methylation of a GATC motif, whereas methylation at this specific site decreases the affinity of Fur for its binding box. A model is proposed in which the sci1 promoter is regulated by iron availability, adenine methylation, and DNA replication
Hot gas flows on global and nuclear galactic scales
Since its discovery as an X-ray source with the Einstein Observatory, the hot
X-ray emitting interstellar medium of early-type galaxies has been studied
intensively, with observations of improving quality, and with extensive
modeling by means of numerical simulations. The main features of the hot gas
evolution are outlined here, focussing on the mass and energy input rates, the
relationship between the hot gas flow and the main properties characterizing
its host galaxy, the flow behavior on the nuclear and global galactic scales,
and the sensitivity of the flow to the shape of the stellar mass distribution
and the mean rotation velocity of the stars.Comment: 22 pages. Abbreviated version of chapter 2 of the book "Hot
Interstellar Matter in Elliptical Galaxies", Springer 201