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Updated: Aug 1, 2026

Single-cell Analysis of Bacillus subtilis Biofilms Using Fluorescence Microscopy and Flow Cytometry
Published on: February 15, 2012
A possible role for L24 of Bacillus subtilis in nucleoid organization and segregation
R Exley1, M Zouine, J J Pernelle
1Institut de Génétique et Microbiologie, Bâtiment 360, Université Paris-Sud, 91405 Orsay, France.
Abstract:
The condensation of DNA in bacterial nucleoids during cell cycle is a complex and dynamic process. Proteins displaying the physico-chemical properties of histones are known to contribute to this process. During a search for B. subtilis nucleoid associated proteins, HBsu and L24 were identified as the most abundant proteins in nucleoid containing fractions. Purified L24 binds and condenses DNA in vitro. In this paper we describe immunofluorescence studies that demonstrated that L24 is located at the poles of the nucleoids in exponentially growing cells. In contrast, the protein is dispersed in the cytoplasm during stationary phase. Moreover, overexpression of the rplX gene encoding L24 disrupts nucleoid segregation and positioning.
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