DNA Segregation in Natural and Synthetic Minimal Systems. Issue 6 (25th February 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hürtgen, Daniel; Murray, Seán M.; Mascarenhas, Judita; Sourjik, Victor
• Is Part Of: Advanced biosystems. Volume 3:Issue 6(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2019-02-25
• Subjects: biomimetic systems -- chromosome segregation -- in vitro reconstitution -- minimal cell -- minimal segrosome -- plasmid segregation -- synthetic biology; Biological systems -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Bioengineering -- Periodicals; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; Biological Science Disciplines; Periodicals; Periodicals; 660.6
• DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201800316
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2366-7478

Abstract

Abstract: Faithful segregation of replicated genomes to dividing daughter cells is a major hallmark of cellular life and needs to be part of the future design of the robustly proliferating minimal cell. So far, the complexity of eukaryotic chromosome segregation machineries has limited their applicability to synthetic systems. Prokaryotic plasmid segregation machineries offer promising alternative tools for bottom‐up synthetic biology, with the first three‐component DNA segregation system being reconstituted a decade ago. In this review, the mechanisms underlying DNA segregation in prokaryotes, with a particular focus on segregation of plasmids and chromosomal replication origins are reviewed, along with a brief discussion of archaeal and eukaryotic systems. In addition, this review shows how in vitro reconstitution has allowed deeper insights into these processes and discusses possible applications of these machineries for a minimal synthetic segrosome as well as the challenge of its coupling to a minimal replisome. Abstract : DNA segregation is a major hallmark of life, and hence, plays an important role in natural and synthetic systems. The mechanisms underlying DNA segregation, with a particular focus on the segregation of prokaryotic plasmids and chromosomal replication origins are reviewed. Recent attempts at reconstructing DNA segregation in vitro and its coupling to DNA replication are also discussed.