Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

DNA replication during endospore development in Metabacterium polyspora.

Rebekah J Ward1, Esther R Angert

  • 1Department of Microbiology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.

Molecular Microbiology
|February 21, 2008
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Ontogenetic variation in the gut microbiota of <i>Kyphosus sydneyanus</i>: a comparative analysis.

Microbiology spectrum·2025
Same author

<i>Bengtsoniella intestinalis</i> gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family <i>Oscillospiraceae</i>, isolated from the hindgut of the marine herbivorous fish <i>Kyphosus sydneyanus</i>.

International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology·2024
Same author

Pre-analytical challenges from adsorptive losses associated with thiamine analysis.

Scientific reports·2024
Same author

Helping students see bacteria in 3D: cellular models increase student learning about cell size and diffusion.

Journal of microbiology & biology education·2023
Same author

The exceptional form and function of the giant bacterium <i>Ca.</i> Epulopiscium viviparus revolves around its sodium motive force.

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·2023
Same author

<i>Chakrabartyella piscis</i> gen. nov., sp. nov., a member of the family <i>Lachnospiraceae</i>, isolated from the hindgut of the marine herbivorous fish <i>Kyphosus sydneyanus</i>.

International journal of systematic and evolutionary microbiology·2023
Same journal

Distinct Spatial Organisation of Rho and RNA Polymerase in Salmonella Cells.

Molecular microbiology·2026
Same journal

A Single-Nucleotide Substitution Generates a de Novo Promoter That Activates a Latent Metabolic Bypass in Escherichia coli.

Molecular microbiology·2026
Same journal

A Phosphorylation-Dependent Partner-Switching-Like Module Regulates a Glycosyltransferase Required for Heterocyst Polysaccharide Layer Formation in Anabaena sp. Strain PCC 7120.

Molecular microbiology·2026
Same journal

Chain-Length Regulation by WzzE Is Necessary for, but Genetically Separable From, Cyclic Enterobacterial Common Antigen Synthesis.

Molecular microbiology·2026
Same journal

To Move or Not to Move: When and How Bacteria Suppress Flagellar Motility.

Molecular microbiology·2026
Same journal

Roles of PknB and CslA in Cell Wall Morphogenesis of Streptomyces.

Molecular microbiology·2026
See all related articles

Metabacterium polyspora, a guinea pig gut symbiont, uniquely replicates DNA during endospore formation. This allows each new spore to receive a complete genome, maximizing reproductive success.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Bacterial genetics
  • Symbiotic relationships

Background:

  • Metabacterium polyspora is an uncultured, endospore-forming bacterium residing in guinea pig intestines.
  • Unlike other endospore-formers, sporulation is obligatory for M. polyspora reproduction within its host.
  • The bacterium relies on multiple endospore formation for reproduction, with limited binary fission.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the DNA replication dynamics during sporulation in Metabacterium polyspora.
  • To determine if DNA replication is suppressed in forespores during M. polyspora sporulation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized immunolocalization of the nucleotide analogue bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) to track DNA replication.
  • Administered BrdU to M. polyspora cells within the guinea pig intestinal tract.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Observed BrdU incorporation into DNA within developing forespores.

    • Main Results:

    • Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) was incorporated into DNA within forespores throughout all stages of development prior to spore maturation.
    • DNA replication was observed within the forespores of M. polyspora during sporulation.
    • Replication was not suppressed in forespores, unlike in other known endospore-forming bacteria.

    Conclusions:

    • Metabacterium polyspora exhibits continuous DNA replication within forespores during sporulation.
    • This unique replication strategy likely enables the bacterium to maximize its reproductive potential.
    • Ensures each endospore receives a complete genome copy for successful propagation.