Elevated pressures greater than 551 bar were found to inhibit the DNA supercoiling activity of Escherichia coli DNA gyrase. A large fraction of the inhibitory effect could be reproduced by preincubation of the enzyme at high pressure prior to enzymatic assay at 1 bar. It is proposed that elevated pressure influences gyrase structure, most likely by promoting the dissociation of its subunits, however, it is also possible that effects on enzyme activity exist.
Copyright 1997 Academic Press.