replication fork trap and termination of chromosome replication

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 th...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Molecular microbiology 2008-12, Vol.70 (6), p.1323-1333
Main Authors: Duggin, Iain G, Wake, R. Gerry, Bell, Stephen D, Hill, Thomas M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biological and medical sciences
Cell division
Chromosome Segregation
Chromosomes
Chromosomes, Bacterial - genetics
DNA Replication - genetics
DNA Replication - physiology
E coli
Escherichia coli
Escherichia coli - genetics
Escherichia coli - metabolism
Escherichia coli Proteins - genetics
Escherichia coli Proteins - physiology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
Membrane Proteins - genetics
Membrane Proteins - physiology
Microbiology
Models, Genetic
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Summary: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.
ISSN:0950-382X
1365-2958
DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2958.2008.06500.x