Active and passive mechanisms of intracellular transport and localization in bacteria

Tâm Mignot, Joshua W. Shaevitz

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Spatial complexity is a hallmark of living organisms. All cells adopt specific shapes and organize their contents in such a way that makes possible fundamental tasks such as growth, metabolism, replication, and division. Although many of these tasks in bacteria have been studied extensively, only recently have we begun to understand the influence of spatial organization on cell function. Clearly, bacteria are highly organized cells where proteins do not simply diffuse in a 'cytoplasmic soup' to exert function but can also be localized to specific subcellular sites. In this review, we discuss whether such order can be achieved solely by diffusive capture mechanisms or if active intracellular transport systems are required.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)580-585
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent opinion in microbiology
Volume11
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2008

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Microbiology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Active and passive mechanisms of intracellular transport and localization in bacteria'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this