Replication of the bacterial chromosome (IMAGE)

Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf

Replication of the bacterial chromosome

Caption

During the replication of the bacterial chromosome, genes close to the replication start point (red) exist in multiple copies, while genes close to the endpoint do not (blue). At faster growth, this effect becomes stronger, such that genes close to the start point can be read from up to 8 gene copies simultaneously, leading to higher expression levels. Depending on how the demand for the expression of a specific gene changes with growth rate, natural selection drives it to an appropriate positioning along the chromosome to exploit this gene dosage effect. (Fig.: HHU / Xiao-Pan Hu)

Credit

HHU / Xiao-Pan Hu

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No restrictions.

License

Public Domain

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