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Synchronization of Caulobacter Crescentus for Investigation of the Bacterial Cell Cycle
08:02

Synchronization of Caulobacter Crescentus for Investigation of the Bacterial Cell Cycle

Published on: April 8, 2015

Genes directly controlled by CtrA, a master regulator of the Caulobacter cell cycle

Michael T Laub1, Swaine L Chen, Lucy Shapiro

  • 1Department of Developmental Biology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Beckman Center, B300, 279 Campus Drive, Palo Alto, CA 94304-5329, USA.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
|April 4, 2002
PubMed

Insights

The response regulator CtrA directly controls at least 95 genes in the Caulobacter cell cycle genetic network. This includes genes for cell division, DNA replication, and regulatory proteins, revealing a large CtrA regulon.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • The Caulobacter cell cycle is governed by a complex genetic network.
  • The response regulator CtrA is known to influence a significant portion of cell cycle-regulated genes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the specific genes directly regulated by CtrA within the Caulobacter cell cycle network.
  • To map the direct binding sites of CtrA and delineate its regulon.

Main Methods:

  • In vivo genomic binding site analysis of the CtrA protein.
  • Integration of CtrA binding data with existing cell cycle transcription patterns.
  • Analysis of gene expression profiles from mutant ctrA strains.

Main Results:

  • CtrA directly binds to and regulates at least 95 genes.
  • The CtrA regulon encompasses genes involved in polar morphogenesis, DNA replication initiation, DNA methylation, cell division, and cell wall metabolism.
  • Fourteen regulatory genes, including 10 two-component system proteins, are directly controlled by CtrA.

Conclusions:

  • CtrA directly regulates a substantial number of genes, forming a large and critical regulon.
  • The findings provide a detailed map of CtrA's direct targets, enhancing our understanding of cell cycle control.
  • Identification of novel CtrA-regulated genes, particularly those encoding regulatory proteins, will further elucidate the cell cycle genetic network.

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