Question

What roles do HU proteins play in prokaryotic DNA organisation?

Options

• Proteins that unwind the DNA double helix

• Enzymes that introduce negative supercoils into DNA

• Non-coding RNA molecules that stabilise loop domains

• Positively charged, histone-like proteins that assist in supercoiling and DNA compaction in the nucleoid

Answer 1

HU proteins are positively charged, histone-like DNA-binding proteins found in prokaryotes that assist in supercoiling and general DNA compaction within the nucleoid. Unlike histones in eukaryotes, HU proteins do not form octameric cores but instead function as general DNA-binding proteins that facilitate negative supercoiling mediated by DNA gyrase and help stabilise the supercoiled nucleoid structure.