C. Disquekochem et B. Dreiseikelmann, THE CYTOPLASMIC DNA-BINDING PROTEIN TRAM BINDS TO THE INNER MEMBRANE-PROTEIN TRAD IN-VITRO, Journal of bacteriology, 179(19), 1997, pp. 6133-6137
The cytoplasmic protein TraM is one of four essential gene products of
the F factor which are involved in DNA transfer after mating pair for
mation. TraM binds to three specific sites within the oriT region. Bes
ides regulation of its own synthesis, the precise function of TraM dur
ing conjugation is not yet known. In the present work, the affinity of
TraM to TraD was studied in vitro by an overlay assay and by affinity
chromatography. Whether the interaction between TraM and TraD causes
a transient or permanent anchoring of the F factor to the site of tran
sfer is discussed, A 35-kDa host membrane protein of yet unknown funct
ion also shows affinity to TraM and may be involved in this anchoring
process as well.