REGULATION OF EXPRESSION OF CELL DIVISION GENES

我们的主要研究兴趣是控制大肠杆菌中的细胞分裂。我们 专注于一系列细胞分裂基因，ftsQ，ftsa和ftsZ， 在遗传图谱上定位于2分钟。其中一个基因FtsZ是 负责将DNA复制与细胞分裂相结合，并可能控制 间隔形成的频率。我们已经发现了SULB突变， 将DNA复制从细胞分裂中分离出来，映射到FtsZ。进一步 对这些和类似突变的分析应该通过以下方式揭示机制 哪些细胞分裂被抑制并导致关键作用的明晰 FtsZ基因在细胞分裂途径中发挥作用。 对FTS基因的调控正在探索中。首先，DNA序列 这些基因中的哪一个正在确定中。对序列的检查是 揭示了基因位置和潜在的启动子，并将进一步 分析潜在的监管特征。第二，体外SI作图 翻译和Northern杂交将被用来阐明转录 功能。第三，已发现4个限制性片段包含 通过构建Galk操纵子分析启动子活性 融合。这些融合将被用来分析这些 启动子和分离调控突变体。 FtsZ基因的功能将通过使用In Frame进行分析 LacZ与FtsZ的基因融合。一种融合产物抑制细胞 分裂，似乎是细胞分裂抑制因子的类似物 秀拉。对抗药性突变体的分析应阐明其抑制作用 机制和定义与FtsZ相互作用的蛋白质。第二次核聚变是 一种高相对分子质量的蛋白质，将用于获得抗体 FtsZ。这些抗体将用于监测体内的FtsZ蛋白。

Our major research interest is the control of cell division in E. coli. We have focused on a cluster of cell division genes, ftsQ, ftsA and ftsZ, that are located at 2 min in the genetic map. One of these genes, ftsZ, is responsible for coupling DNA replication to cell division, and may control the frequency of septum formation. We have found that sulB mutations, which uncouple DNA replication from cell division, map in ftsZ. Further analysis of these and similar mutations should reveal the mechanism by which cell division is inhibited and lead to the lucidation of the key role the ftsZ gene plays in the cell division pathway. The regulation of the fts genes is being explored. First, the DNA sequence of these genes is being determined. Examination of the sequence is revealing gene location and potential promoters and will be further analyzed for potential regulatory features. Second, SI mapping, in vitro trasnscription and Northern blots will be done to elucidate transcriptional features. Third, 4 restriction fragments have been found to contain promoter activity when analyzed through the construction of galk operon fusions. These fusions will be utilized to analyze the regulation of these promoters and isolate regulatory mutants. The function of the ftsZ gene will be analyzed through the use of in frame gene fusions between lacZ and ftsZ. One fusion product inhibits cell division and appears to be an analogue of the cell division inhibitor sulA. Analysis of resistant mutants should elucidate the inhibition mechanism and define proteins that interact with ftsZ. A second fusion is a high molecular weight protein and will be used to obtain antibodies to ftsZ. These antibodies will be used to monitor the ftsZ protein in vivo.