page_title: Iteron
section_title: Replication Initiator Proteins
hierarchical_section_title: Iteron / Replication Initiator Proteins
caption_attribution_description: English: Cartoon representation of the molecular structure of protein registered with 1hkq code. Deutsch: Grafik des Molekularstruktur von jenem Protein, das mit 1hkq code registriert ist. Plattdüütsch: Grafik, de de Molekularstruktur von dat Protein wiest, dat mit’n Kood 1hkq registreert is.
context_page_description: Iterons are directly repeated DNA sequences which play an important role in regulation of plasmid copy number in bacterial cells. It is one among the three negative regulatory elements found in plasmids which control its copy number. The others include antisense RNAs and ctRNAs. Iterons complex with cognate replication initiator proteins to achieve the required regulatory effect.
context_section_description: The replication initiator protein (Rep) plays a key role in initiation of replication in plasmids. In its monomer form, Rep binds an iteron and promotes replication. The protein itself is known to contain two independent N-terminal and C-terminal globular domains that subsequently bind to two domains of the iteron. The dimer version of the protein is generally inactive in iteron binding, however it is known to bind to the repE operator. This operator contains half of the iteron sequence making it able to bind the dimer and promote gene expression.
  Plasmids containing iterons are all organized very similarly in structure.   The gene for Rep proteins is usually found directly downstream of the origin of replication. This means that the iterons themselves are known to regulate the synthesis of the rep proteins.
caption: Representation of the molecular structure of protein RepA, a known rep protein used in iterons
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