Relaxosome

Relaxosome is the complex of proteins that facilitates plasmids during bacterial conjugation. The proteins are encoded by the tra gene in the origin of transfer, oriT, region. The most important of these proteins is relaxase, which is responsible for beginning the conjugation process by cutting at the nic site via transesterification. This nicking results in a DNA-Protein complex with the relaxosome bound to a single strand of the plasmid DNA and an exposed 3' hydroxyl group. Relaxase also unwinds the plasmid being conjugated with its helicase properties. The relaxosome interacts with integration host factors within the oriT.