Taxonomic distribution of proteins containing Ftsk_gamma domains

The tree below includes only several representative species and genera. The complete taxonomic breakdown of all proteins containing Ftsk_gamma domains can be accessed here. Click the counts or percentage values to display the corresponding proteins.

The FtsK gamma domain directs oriented DNA translocation by interactingwith KOPS.

Sivanathan V, Allen MD, de Bekker C, Baker R, Arciszewska LK, Freund SM, Bycroft M, Lowe J, Sherratt DJ
Nat Struct Mol Biol. 2006; 13: 965-72

The bacterial septum-located DNA translocase FtsK coordinates circularchromosome segregation with cell division. Rapid translocation of DNA byFtsK is directed by 8-base-pair DNA motifs (KOPS), so that newlyreplicated termini are brought together at the developing septum, therebyfacilitating completion of chromosome segregation. Translocase functionsreside in three domains, alpha, beta and gamma. FtsKalphabeta arenecessary and sufficient for ATP hydrolysis-dependent DNA translocation,which is modulated by FtsKgamma through its interaction with KOPS. Bysolving the FtsKgamma structure by NMR, we show that gamma is awinged-helix domain. NMR chemical shift mapping localizes the DNA-bindingsite on the gamma domain. Mutated proteins with substitutions in theFtsKgamma DNA-recognition helix are impaired in DNA binding and KOPSrecognition, yet remain competent in DNA translocation and XerCD-difsite-specific recombination, which facilitates the late stages ofchromosome segregation.