scholarly journals Partitioning of Chromosomal DNA during Establishment of Cellular Asymmetry in Bacillus subtilis

2002 ◽  
Vol 184 (6) ◽  
pp. 1743-1749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joe Pogliano ◽  
Marc D. Sharp ◽  
Kit Pogliano
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Chromosome Structure ◽  
Chromosomal Dna ◽  
Chromosome Partitioning ◽  
Cellular Asymmetry ◽  
The Future ◽  
Asymmetric Partitioning ◽  
Polar Division

ABSTRACT The switch from symmetric to asymmetric cell division is a key feature of development in many organisms, including Bacillus subtilis sporulation. Here we demonstrate that, prior to the onset of asymmetric cell division, the B. subtilis chromosome is partitioned into two unequally sized domains, with the origin-proximal one-third of the future forespore chromosome condensed near one pole of the cell. Asymmetric chromosome partitioning is independent of polar division, as it occurs in cells depleted of FtsZ but depends on two transcription factors that govern the initiation of sporulation, σH and Spo0A-P. It is also independent of chromosome partitioning proteins Spo0J and Soj, suggesting the existence of a novel mechanism controlling chromosome structure. Thus, our results demonstrate that, during sporulation, two separable events prepare B. subtilis for asymmetric cell division: the relocation of cell division sites to the cell poles and the asymmetric partitioning of the future forespore chromosome.

scholarly journals Postdivisional Synthesis of the Sporosarcina ureae DNA Translocase SpoIIIE either in the Mother Cell or in the Prespore Enables Bacillus subtilis To Translocate DNA from the Mother Cell to the Prespore

2003 ◽  
Vol 185 (3) ◽  
pp. 879-886 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vasant K. Chary ◽  
Patrick J. Piggot
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Mother Cell ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Dna Translocation ◽  
Sporosarcina Ureae ◽  
Correct Orientation ◽  
Chromosome Partitioning ◽  
Specific Synthesis ◽  
Dna Translocase

ABSTRACT The differentiation of vegetative cells of Bacillus subtilis into spores involves asymmetric cell division, which precedes complete chromosome partitioning. The DNA translocase SpoIIIE is required to translocate the origin distal 70% of the chromosome from the larger mother cell into the smaller prespore, the two cells that result from the division. We have tested the effect of altering the time and location of SpoIIIE synthesis on spore formation. We have expressed the spoIIIE homologue from Sporosarcina ureae in B. subtilis under the control of different promoters. Expression from either a weak mother cell-specific (σE) promoter or a weak prespore-specific (σF) promoter partly complemented the sporulation defect of a spoIIIE36 mutant; however, expression from a strong prespore-specific (σF) promoter did not. DNA translocation from the mother cell to the prespore was assayed using spoIIQ-lacZ inserted at thrC; transcription of spoIIQ occurs only in the prespore. Translocation of thrC::spoIIQ-lacZ into the prespore occurred efficiently when spoIIIE Su was expressed from the weak σE- or σF-controlled promoters but not when it was expressed from the strong σF-controlled promoter. It is speculated that the mechanism directing SpoIIIE insertion into the septum in the correct orientation may accommodate slow postseptational, prespore-specific SpoIIIE synthesis but may be swamped by strong prespore-specific synthesis.

scholarly journals Noc Corrals Migration of FtsZ Protofilaments during Cytokinesis in Bacillus subtilis

mBio ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanchen Yu ◽  
Jinsheng Zhou ◽  
Frederico J. Gueiros-Filho ◽  
Daniel B. Kearns ◽  
Stephen C. Jacobson
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Fluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Control Cell ◽  
Time Lapse ◽  
Ring Formation ◽  
Microfluidic Channels ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Future ◽  
Z Ring

ABSTRACT Bacteria that divide by binary fission form FtsZ rings at the geometric midpoint of the cell between the bulk of the replicated nucleoids. In Bacillus subtilis, the DNA- and membrane-binding Noc protein is thought to participate in nucleoid occlusion by preventing FtsZ rings from forming over the chromosome. To explore the role of Noc, we used time-lapse fluorescence microscopy to monitor FtsZ and the nucleoid of cells growing in microfluidic channels. Our data show that Noc does not prevent de novo FtsZ ring formation over the chromosome nor does Noc control cell division site selection. Instead, Noc corrals FtsZ at the cytokinetic ring and reduces migration of protofilaments over the chromosome to the future site of cell division. Moreover, we show that FtsZ protofilaments travel due to a local reduction in ZapA association, and the diffuse FtsZ rings observed in the Noc mutant can be suppressed by ZapA overexpression. Thus, Noc sterically hinders FtsZ migration away from the Z-ring during cytokinesis and retains FtsZ at the postdivisional polar site for full disassembly by the Min system. IMPORTANCE In bacteria, a condensed structure of FtsZ (Z-ring) recruits cell division machinery at the midcell, and Z-ring formation is discouraged over the chromosome by a poorly understood phenomenon called nucleoid occlusion. In B. subtilis, nucleoid occlusion has been reported to be mediated, at least in part, by the DNA-membrane bridging protein, Noc. Using time-lapse fluorescence microscopy of cells growing in microchannels, we show that Noc neither protects the chromosome from proximal Z-ring formation nor determines the future site of cell division. Rather, Noc plays a corralling role by preventing protofilaments from leaving a Z-ring undergoing cytokinesis and traveling over the nucleoid.

scholarly journals Synthetic pluripotent bacterial stem cells

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Molinari ◽  
David L. Shis ◽  
James Chappell ◽  
Oleg A. Igoshin ◽  
Matthew R. Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Plasmid Dna ◽  
Daughter Cell ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Genetic Circuit ◽  
Pluripotent Cells ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Asymmetric Partitioning ◽  
Asymmetrical Cell Division

AbstractA defining property of stem cells is their ability to differentiate via asymmetric cell division, in which a stem cell creates a differentiated daughter cell but retains its own phenotype. Here, we describe a synthetic genetic circuit for controlling asymmetrical cell division in Escherichia coli. Specifically, we engineered an inducible system that can bind and segregate plasmid DNA to a single position in the cell. Upon division, the co-localized plasmids are kept by one and only one of the daughter cells. The other daughter cell receives no plasmid DNA and is hence irreversibly differentiated from its sibling. In this way, we achieved asymmetric cell division though asymmetric plasmid partitioning. We also characterized an orthogonal inducible circuit that enables the simultaneous asymmetric partitioning of two plasmid species – resulting in pluripotent cells that have four distinct differentiated states. These results point the way towards engineering multicellular systems from prokaryotic hosts.

scholarly journals FtsA Mutants of Bacillus subtilis Impaired in Sporulation

2002 ◽  
Vol 184 (14) ◽  
pp. 3856-3863 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer T. Kemp ◽  
Adam Driks ◽  
Richard Losick
Keyword(s):  
Electron Microscopy ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Amino Acid ◽  
Fluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Protein Interaction ◽  
Regulatory Protein ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Morphological Process ◽  
Polar Division

ABSTRACT Spore formation in Bacillus subtilis involves a switch in the site of cell division from the midcell to a polar position. Both medial division and polar division are mediated in part by the actin-like, cytokinetic protein FtsA. We report the isolation of an FtsA mutant (FtsAD265G) that is defective in sporulation but is apparently unimpaired in vegetative growth. Sporulating cells of the mutant reach the stage of asymmetric division but are partially blocked in the subsequent morphological process of engulfment. As judged by fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy, the FtsAD265G mutant produces normal-looking medial septa but immature (abnormally thin) polar septa. The mutant was unimpaired in transcription under the control of Spo0A, the master regulator for entry into sporulation, but was defective in transcription under the control of σF, a regulatory protein whose activation is known to depend on polar division. An amino acid substitution at a residue (Y264) adjacent to D265 also caused a defect in sporulation. D265 and Y264 are conserved among endospore-forming bacteria, raising the possibility that these residues are involved in a sporulation-specific protein interaction that facilitates maturation of the sporulation septum and the activation of σF.

scholarly journals The immortal strand hypothesis: still non-randomly segregating opinions

2012 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 203-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jane A. Wakeman ◽  
Abdelkrim Hmadcha ◽  
Bernat Soria ◽  
Ramsay J. McFarlane
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Current Data ◽  
Immortal Strand ◽  
Published Evidence ◽  
Conflicting Evidence ◽  
The Future ◽  
Dna Strands ◽  
Review Current

AbstractCairns first suggested a mechanism for protecting the genomes of stem cells (SCs) from replicative errors some 40 years ago when he proposed the immortal strand hypothesis, which argued for the inheritance of a so-called immortal strand by an SC following asymmetric SC divisions. To date, the existence of immortal strands remains contentious with published evidence arguing in favour of and against the retention of an immortal strand by asymmetrically dividing SCs. The conflicting evidence is derived from a diverse array of studies on adult SC types and is predominantly based on following the fate of labelled DNA strands during asymmetric cell division events. Here, we review current data, highlighting limitations of such labelling techniques, and suggest how interpretation of such data may be improved in the future.

scholarly journals Systematic analysis of asymmetric partitioning of yeast proteome between mother and daughter cells reveals “aging factors” and mechanism of lifespan asymmetry

2015 ◽  
Vol 112 (38) ◽  
pp. 11977-11982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jing Yang ◽  
Mark A. McCormick ◽  
Jiashun Zheng ◽  
Zhengwei Xie ◽  
Mitsuhiro Tsuchiya ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Asymmetric Distribution ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Daughter Cells ◽  
Yeast Proteome ◽  
Mother And Daughter ◽  
Asymmetric Partitioning ◽  
Mother Cells ◽  
Aging Factors

Budding yeast divides asymmetrically, giving rise to a mother cell that progressively ages and a daughter cell with full lifespan. It is generally assumed that mother cells retain damaged, lifespan limiting materials (“aging factors”) through asymmetric division. However, the identity of these aging factors and the mechanisms through which they limit lifespan remain poorly understood. Using a flow cytometry-based, high-throughput approach, we quantified the asymmetric partitioning of the yeast proteome between mother and daughter cells during cell division, discovering 74 mother-enriched and 60 daughter-enriched proteins. While daughter-enriched proteins are biased toward those needed for bud construction and genome maintenance, mother-enriched proteins are biased towards those localized in the plasma membrane and vacuole. Deletion of 23 of the 74 mother-enriched proteins leads to lifespan extension, a fraction that is about six times that of the genes picked randomly from the genome. Among these lifespan-extending genes, three are involved in endosomal sorting/endosome to vacuole transport, and three are nitrogen source transporters. Tracking the dynamic expression of specific mother-enriched proteins revealed that their concentration steadily increases in the mother cells as they age, but is kept relatively low in the daughter cells via asymmetric distribution. Our results suggest that some mother-enriched proteins may increase to a concentration that becomes deleterious and lifespan-limiting in aged cells, possibly by upsetting homeostasis or leading to aberrant signaling. Our study provides a comprehensive resource for analyzing asymmetric cell division and aging in yeast, which should also be valuable for understanding similar phenomena in other organisms.

scholarly journals NMY-2 maintains cellular asymmetry and cell boundaries, and promotes a SRC-dependent asymmetric cell division

2010 ◽  
Vol 339 (2) ◽  
pp. 366-373 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Liu ◽  
Lisa L. Maduzia ◽  
Masaki Shirayama ◽  
Craig C. Mello
Keyword(s):  
Cell Division ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Cellular Asymmetry

scholarly journals Linking the Peptidoglycan Synthesis Protein Complex with Asymmetric Cell Division during Bacillus subtilis Sporulation

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (12) ◽  
pp. 4513 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarína Muchová ◽  
Zuzana Chromiková ◽  
Imrich Barák
Keyword(s):  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Protein Complex ◽  
Asymmetric Cell Division ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Peptidoglycan Biosynthesis ◽  
Peptidoglycan Synthesis ◽  
Septum Formation

Peptidoglycan is generally considered one of the main determinants of cell shape in bacteria. In rod-shaped bacteria, cell elongation requires peptidoglycan synthesis to lengthen the cell wall. In addition, peptidoglycan is synthesized at the division septum during cell division. Sporulation of Bacillus subtilis begins with an asymmetric cell division. Formation of the sporulation septum requires almost the same set of proteins as the vegetative septum; however, these two septa are significantly different. In addition to their differences in localization, the sporulation septum is thinner and it contains SpoIIE, a crucial sporulation specific protein. Here we show that peptidoglycan biosynthesis is linked to the cell division machinery during sporulation septum formation. We detected a direct interaction between SpoIIE and GpsB and found that both proteins co-localize during the early stages of asymmetric septum formation. We propose that SpoIIE is part of a multi-protein complex which includes GpsB, other division proteins and peptidoglycan synthesis proteins, and could provide a link between the peptidoglycan synthesis machinery and the complex morphological changes required for forespore formation during B. subtilis sporulation.

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