The replication fork trap and termination of chromosome replication - PubMed (original) (raw)

Review

. 2008 Dec;70(6):1323-33.

doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2008.06500.x. Epub 2008 Oct 17.

Affiliations

Free article

Review

The replication fork trap and termination of chromosome replication

Iain G Duggin et al. Mol Microbiol. 2008 Dec.

Free article

Abstract

Bacteria that have a circular chromosome with a bidirectional DNA replication origin are thought to utilize a 'replication fork trap' to control termination of replication. The fork trap is an arrangement of replication pause sites that ensures that the two replication forks fuse within the terminus region of the chromosome, approximately opposite the origin on the circular map. However, the biological significance of the replication fork trap has been mysterious, as its inactivation has no obvious consequence. Here we review the research that led to the replication fork trap theory, and we aim to integrate several recent findings that contribute towards an understanding of the physiological roles of the replication fork trap. Likely roles include the prevention of over-replication, and the optimization of post-replicative mechanisms of chromosome segregation, such as that involving FtsK in Escherichia coli.

PubMed Disclaimer

Publication types

MeSH terms

Substances

LinkOut - more resources