promI

promI is a protein found in the bacterium Escherichia coli. It is part of the P-loop GTPase superfamily and plays a crucial role in the regulation of bacterial DNA replication. Specifically, promI is involved in the initiation of DNA replication at the origin of replication, oriC. It acts as a helicase, unwinding the DNA double helix to allow replication machinery to assemble and proceed.

The activity of promI is tightly controlled by its interaction with other initiator proteins, such as DnaA. This interaction ensures that DNA replication is initiated only once per cell cycle, preventing genomic instability. Research into promI has provided valuable insights into the fundamental mechanisms of DNA replication initiation in bacteria, which share similarities with processes in eukaryotes. Understanding promI's function is important for developing new antibacterial strategies that target essential bacterial processes.