DNA transport in bacteria

Abstract

DNA transport is important in various biological contexts - particularly chromosome segregation and intercellular gene transfer. Recently, progress has been made in understanding the function of a family of bacterial proteins involved in DNA transfer, and we focus here on one of the best-understood members, SpoIIIE. Studies of SpoIIIlE-like proteins show that they might couple DNA transport to processes such as cell division, conjugation (mating) and the resolution of chromosome dimers.