Research in the Sherratt group is aimed at understanding how DNA replication, recombination and chromosome segregation shape bacterial chromosome organization in the context of the living cell.
The research observes where genes and molecular machines are positioned as a cell proceeds through its growth and division cycles, and what happens when normal cellular behaviour is perturbed by different methods. Individual components of DNA organizing and processing machines are studied genetically, structurally and biochemically, and information on their molecular action is integrated into the context of their action in cells.
Model of FtsK C-terminal domain with hexameric motor (blue) and trimeric gamma-subdomain (yellow) bound to KOPS (red).
Research
-
Chromosome dynamics - tracking genetic loci in space and time
Gene position can be followed in space and time in living cells. Genetic loci are tracked by simultaneous binding of fluorescent repressors to the arrays of their cognate operators inserted into the chromosome regions of interest. Chromosome organization and segregation are also studied in relation to E. coli SMC proteins MukBEF and divisome components, such as FtsZ and FtsK.
-
Replisome dynamics - DNA replication, block and restart
The dynamics of the replication machinery (replisome) is studied by labeling replisome components with fluorescent proteins at the normal chromosome locus. Replisome dynamics is also studied in relation to chromosome segregation and cell division. Fluorescent repressor-operator arrays are also used to study reversible replication fork blockage and restart at a specific locus.
-
Site-specific recombination and DNA translocase FtsK
FtsK belongs to a family of DNA translocases involved in the acquisition of foreign genes during conjugation and in segregation of chromosomes during spore formation and cell division. In E. coli, FtsK acts at the last stage of chromosome segregation and controls the resolution of chromosome dimers. This latter activity is achieved in combination with site-specific recombinases XerCD acting at dif.
Publication
Our most recent publications...
-
Sivanathan V, Emerson JE, Pages C, Cornet F, Sherratt DJ, Arciszewska LK. (2009)
KOPS-guided DNA translocation by FtsK safeguards Escherichia coli chromosome segregation
Mol Microbiol. 71:1031-1042
-
Wang X, Reyes-Lamothe R, Sherratt DJ. (2008)
Modulation of Escherichia coli sister chromosome cohesion by topoisomerase IV.
Genes Dev. 22:2426-2433.
-
Löwe J, Ellonen A, Allen MD, Atkinson C, Sherratt DJ, Grainge I. (2008)
Molecular mechanism of sequence-directed DNA loading and translocation by FtsK.
Mol Cell. 31:498-509.
-
Wang X, Reyes-Lamothe R, Sherratt DJ. (2008)
Visualizing genetic loci and molecular machines in living bacteria.
Biochem Soc Trans. 36:749-753. Review.
-
Reyes-Lamothe R, Wang X, Sherratt D. (2008)
Escherichia coli and its chromosome.
Trends Microbiol. 16:238-245. Review
-
Reyes-Lamothe R, Possoz C, Danilova O, Sherratt DJ. (2008)
Independent positioning and action of Escherichia coli replisomes in live cells.
Cell. 133:90-102.
-
Grainge I, Bregu M, Vazquez M, Sivanathan V, Ip SC, Sherratt DJ. (2007)
Unlinking chromosome catenanes in vivo by site-specific recombination.
EMBO J. 26:4228-4238.
-
Danilova O, Reyes-Lamothe R, Pinskaya M, Sherratt DJ, Possoz C. (2007)
MukB colocalizes with the oriC region and is required for organization of the two Escherichia coli chromosome arms into separate cell halves.
Mol Microbiol. 65:1485-1492
→ For more listed on PubMed.
People
Research associate postdocs...
Technical staff...
Graduate students...
-
Mr.
James Graham
Tel: (0)1865 613233
» Research interest Structural, biophysical and biochemical studies of dsDNA translocation by FtsK: mechanochemical coupling, response to KOPS and interaction with XerCD
-
-
Pictures
Contact
Enquiries with CV welcome. For postdoc or graduate student positions, please contact Prof. David Sherratt directly.
-
-
Prof David Sherratt
Iveagh Professor of Microbiology
Tel: +44 (0)1865 613237
Fax: +44 (0)1865 613238
david.sherratt@bioch.ox.ac.uk -
Microbiology Unit
Department of Biochemistry
University of Oxford
South Parks Rd, Oxford
OX1 3QU, UK