An actin-like gene can determine cell polarity in bacteria

Zemer Gitai, Natalie Dye, Lucy Shapiro

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

264 Scopus citations

Abstract

Achieving proper polarity is essential for cellular function. In bacteria, cell polarity has been observed by using both morphological and molecular markers; however, no general regulators of bacterial cell polarity have been identified. Here we investigate the effect on cell polarity of two cytoskeletal elements previously implicated in cell shape determination. We find that the actin-like MreB protein mediates global cell polarity in Caulobacter crescentus, although the intermediate filament-like CreS protein influences cell shape without affecting cell polarity. MreB is organized in an axial spiral that is dynamically rearranged during the cell cycle, and MreB dynamics may be critical for the determination of cell polarity. By examining depletion and overexpression strains, we demonstrate that MreB is required both for the polar localization of the chromosomal origin sequence and the dynamic localization of regulatory proteins to the correct cell pole. We propose that the molecular polarity inherent in an actin-like filament is translated into a mechanism for directing global cell polarity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)8643-8648
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume101
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 8 2004
Externally publishedYes

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General

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