A unique DNA intermediate associated with termination of chromosome replication in Bacillus subtilis

Abstract

A unique DNA structural intermediate associated with termination of replication in Bacillus subtilis has been identified. This was achieved by probing for the Bam HI DNA fragment within which the terminus of the chromosome (terC) resides. The intermediate migrates more slowly than the bulk of digested chromosomal DNA upon electrophoresis. It is more readily detected in DNA from a merodiploid strain in which the clockwise fork should be immobilized at terC for longer than usual, and it is destroyed by S1 nuclease. The intermediate may be a forked or related structure. These findings provide evidence for the existence of a specific, sequence-based termination site that blocks or severely impedes the movement of at least the clockwise fork, which is the first to encounter it.