Abstract 1961 Physiological Function of DbpA, a DEAD-Box RNA Helicase, During the Exponential and Stationary Phases of Escherichia coli Growth

DbpA is a DEAD-box RNA helicase involved in the maturation of the peptidyl transferase center in Escherichia coli (E. coli). DbpA is highly conserved in bacteria, and its function is conserved in humans. Previous work has shown that the removal of the dbpA gene does not result in a growth phenotype in E. coli cells during the exponential phase. Our data agrees with previous results. Importantly, our data demonstrate a slow-growth phenotype in cells lacking the DbpA protein during the late stationary phase.