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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 25, 2026

Three-dimensional Imaging of Bacterial Cells for Accurate Cellular Representations and Precise Protein Localization

Three-dimensional Imaging of Bacterial Cells for Accurate Cellular Representations and Precise Protein Localization

Published on: October 29, 2019

Geometric cue for protein localization in a bacterium.

Kumaran S Ramamurthi¹, Sigolene Lecuyer, Howard A Stone

¹Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|March 7, 2009

Summary

Bacterial protein SpoVM (VM) localization during sporulation is guided by membrane geometry. This protein distinguishes between the positive curvature of the inner cell membrane and the negative curvature of the outer cell membrane.

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Area of Science:

Bacterial cell biology
Microbiology
Molecular biology

Background:

Bacterial protein localization is crucial for cellular function but often lacks clear guidance cues.
During Bacillus subtilis sporulation, the SpoVM (VM) protein localizes to a specific membrane in the outer cell.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the localization mechanism of the SpoVM protein during bacterial sporulation.
To identify the specific cues that direct SpoVM to its target membrane.

Main Methods:

Analyzing the localization patterns of SpoVM in Bacillus subtilis.
Investigating the role of membrane curvature in SpoVM localization.

Main Results:

SpoVM protein specifically recognizes and binds to membranes with positive curvature.
SpoVM differentiates between the positively curved membrane surrounding the developing spore and the negatively curved outer cell membrane.

Conclusions:

Membrane curvature serves as a key geometric cue for bacterial protein localization.
This mechanism highlights a potential general principle for protein targeting in bacteria.