Jane K. Setlow
Emeritus

Biology Department, 463
Brookhaven National Laboratory
Upton, NY 11973-5000

Research Interests:

We have shown that the configuration of the DNA of the bacterium Haemophilus influenzae is a crucial parameter affecting spontaneous mutation frequency, in that, enhanced DNA supercoiling increased mutation and decreased supercoiling depressed it. A cloned gene from Bacillus subtilis in Escherichia coli increased supercoiling and mutation in that bacterium. This was caused by a B. subtilis spore protein that binds to DNA and thereby changes the configuration of the DNA. Pure transforming DNA from Haemophilus influenzae was also mutagenized by binding to the B. subtilis protein before exposure of competent cells. There was mutation only when the cells were selected for an antibiotic-resistance marker close to the locus being assayed for mutation, on the same molecule of transforming DNA. Lambda phage lysogens were induced by the protein made in the cloned gene of E. coli, but the protein eliminated ultraviolet induction of lysogens and thermal induction of the normally heat-inducible lysogens.

References:

Setlow, J.K, Haines, D. and Cabrera-Juarez, E.
MucA protein affects spontaneous mutation in a localized region of Haemophilus influenzae
Mutat. Res. 478, 75-81 (2001). Medline Abstract
Setlow, J.K, Albritton, W.L. and Cabrera-Juarez, E.
Evidence for gene silencing in Haemophilus influenzae
Mutat. Res. 478, 65-74 (2001). Medline Abstract
Setlow, J.K, Haines, D. and Cabrera-Juarez, E.
Gyrase mutants affect mutation in a localized region of Haemophilus influenzae
Mutat. Res. 478, 83-88 (2001). Medline Abstract
Setlow, J.K, Setlow, B.C. and Setlow, P.
Mutagenesis and ultraviolet inactivation of transforming DNA of Haemophilus influenzae complexed with a Bacillus sutilis protein that alters DNA conformation.
Acta Biochim. Pol. 43(1), 107-114 (1996). Medline Abstract
Setlow, J.K., (editor)
Genetic Engineering: Principles and Methods
Volume 14, 287 p., Plenum Press, New York (1992).
Volume 15, 247 p., Plenum Press, New York (1993).
Volume 16, 280 p., Plenum Press, New York (1994).
Volume 17, 272 p., Plenum Press, New York (1995).
Volume 18, 289 p., Plenum Press, New York (1996).
Volume 19, 309 p., Plenum Press, New York (1997).
Volume 20, 309 p., Plenum Press, New York (1998).
Volume 21, 292 p., Kluwer Academic, Plenum Press, New York (1999).
Volume 22, 278 p., Kluwer Academic, Plenum Press, New York (2000).
Volume 23, 232 p., Kluwer Academic, Plenum Press, New York (2001).
Volume 24, 231 p., Kluwer Academic, Plenum Press, New York (2002).
Setlow, J.K., Randesi, M., Adams, J.G., Setlow, B. and Setlow, P.
Mutation and killing of Escherichia coli expressing a cloned Bacillis subtilis gene whose product alters DNA conformation.
J. Bacteriol. 174, 2943-2950 (1992). Medline Abstract
Setlow, J.K. and Albritton, W.L.
Transformation of Haemophilis influenzae following electroporation with plasmid and chromosomal DNA.
Current Microbiology, 24, 97-100 (1992).
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