A chromosomal loop anchor mediates bacterial genome organization

Hi-C and live-imaging data show that nucleoprotein complexes containing the transcription factor Rok interact over long distances in the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Rok-dependent interactions contribute to anchored chromosomal loop formation. Nucleoprotein complexes play an integral role in genome organization of both eukaryotes and prokaryotes. Apart from their role in locally structuring and compacting DNA, several complexes are known to influence global organization by mediating long-range anchored chromosomal loop formation leading to spatial segregation of large sections of DNA. Such megabase-range interactions are ubiquitous in eukaryotes, but have not been demonstrated in prokaryotes. Here, using a genome-wide sedimentation-based approach, we found that a transcription factor, Rok, forms large nucleoprotein complexes in the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Using chromosome conformation capture and live-imaging of DNA loci, we show that these complexes robustly interact with each other over large distances. Importantly, these Rok-dependent long-range interactions lead to anchored chromosomal loop formation, thereby spatially isolating large sections of DNA, as previously observed for insulator proteins in eukaryotes.

Automated summary

A study reveals the existence of large nucleoprotein complexes formed by the transcription factor Rok in the bacterium Bacillus subtilis. These complexes can interact with each other over long distances and lead to the formation of chromosomal loops, spatially isolating large sections of DNA.