Nus Factors of Escherichia coli

Abstract

The highly conserved Nus factors of bacteria were discovered as essential host proteins for the growth of temperate phage λ in Escherichia coli. Later, their essentiality and functions in transcription, translation, and more recently, in DNA repair have been elucidated. Close involvement of these factors in various gene networks and circuits is also emerging from recent genomic studies. We have described a detailed overview of their biochemistry, structures and various cellular functions, as well as their interactions with other macromolecules. Towards the end, we have envisaged different uncharted areas of studies with these factors, including their participation in pathogenicity.