How head-on collisions of DNA protein machines stop replication

(University of Washington Health Sciences/UW Medicine) Head-on collisions between the protein machines that crawl along chromosomes can disrupt DNA replication and boost gene mutation rates. This may be one of the ways bacteria control their evolution by accelerating mutations in key genes when coping with new conditions. Some mutations may help bacteria survive hostile environments, resist antibiotics or fend off immune attacks
Source: EurekAlert! - Infectious and Emerging Diseases - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: news