Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 15, 2026

Three-dimensional Imaging of Bacterial Cells for Accurate Cellular Representations and Precise Protein Localization
06:33

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

Published on: October 29, 2019

Positioning cell wall synthetic complexes by the bacterial morphogenetic proteins MreB and MreD

Courtney L White1, Aleksandar Kitich, James W Gober

  • 1Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Molecular Biology Institute, University of California, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1569, USA.

Molecular Microbiology
|March 18, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Bacterial cell shape relies on MreB (actin homologue) organizing peptidoglycan synthesis enzymes. MreB and MreD proteins work together to ensure efficient cell wall construction and maintain uniform cell shape.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • MreB, an actin homologue, is crucial for bacterial cell shape by organizing peptidoglycan synthesis.
  • MreB's role extends to spatial positioning of key enzymes like MurG and periplasmic proteins.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of MreB cables in organizing other cytosolic murein biosynthetic enzymes.
  • To elucidate the interactions within the bacterial morphogenetic complex.
  • To understand the function of MreD in peptidoglycan synthesis and MreB localization.

Main Methods:

  • Two-hybrid analyses to map protein interactions.
  • Subcellular localization studies of murein biosynthetic enzymes.
  • Investigating the role of MreD in lateral peptidoglycan synthesis.

Main Results:

  • MreB cables organize multiple cytosolic murein biosynthetic enzymes (MraY, MurB, MurC, MurE, MurF) and MurG.
  • A comprehensive interaction map of the bacterial morphogenetic complex was generated.
  • MreD, an integral membrane protein, is essential for lateral peptidoglycan synthesis, interacts with MurG and MraY, and influences MreB localization.

Conclusions:

  • MreB and MreD exhibit interdependent localization, organizing peptidoglycan precursor synthesis proteins.
  • This organization is vital for maintaining uniform cell shape and efficient peptidoglycan synthesis.
  • The study reveals a cytoskeletal-dependent mechanism for bacterial cell wall construction.

More Related Videos

Fluorescence Live-cell Imaging of the Complete Vegetative Cell Cycle of the Slow-growing Social Bacterium Myxococcus xanthus11:45

Fluorescence Live-cell Imaging of the Complete Vegetative Cell Cycle of the Slow-growing Social Bacterium Myxococcus xanthus

Published on: June 20, 2018

Synthesis of Masarimycin, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Gram-Positive Bacterial Growth09:10

Synthesis of Masarimycin, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Gram-Positive Bacterial Growth

Published on: January 7, 2022

Related Concept Videos

Archaeal Cell Wall01:29

Archaeal Cell Wall

Archaeal cell walls are structurally and compositionally distinct from their bacterial counterparts, lacking the characteristic peptidoglycan layer found in most bacteria. Instead, archaeal cell walls exhibit remarkable diversity, utilizing materials such as pseudomurein, polysaccharides, and proteins to construct their protective outer layers. This structural flexibility is closely tied to archaea's ecological adaptability.S-Layers: The Common Archaeal Cell WallThe S-layer is the most...
Cytoskeletal Proteins in Bacteria01:29

Cytoskeletal Proteins in Bacteria

Bacterial cells were initially considered simple, randomly organized structures lacking a cytoskeleton. However, the discovery of cytoskeleton homologs in bacteria led to the change of this opinion. Bacterial cytoskeletal filaments regulate the cell shape, cell polarity, cell division, and partitioning of plasmids during cell division. It was later discovered that bacterial cytoskeletal proteins, mainly actin and tubulin homologs, are diverse compared to their eukaryotic counterparts. On the...
Role of Microtubules in Cell Wall Deposition01:02

Role of Microtubules in Cell Wall Deposition

Microtubules are small hollow tubes in eukaryotic cells. The cell wall microtubules are polymerized dimers of two globular proteins, α-tubulin and β-tubulin, two globular proteins. With a diameter of about 25 nm, microtubules are the widest components of the cytoskeleton. They help the cell resist compression and provide a track along which vesicles move through the cell or pull replicated chromosomes to opposite ends of a dividing cell. Microtubules go through quick cycles of disassembly and...
Bacterial Cell Wall01:22

Bacterial Cell Wall

The bacterial cell wall is an essential structural component that encases the plasma membrane, preserving cellular integrity, determining shape, and protecting against osmotic stress. This rigid yet flexible structure primarily comprises peptidoglycan, a polymer that forms a mesh-like matrix conferring mechanical strength and flexibility.Peptidoglycan Composition and StructurePeptidoglycan, the core of the bacterial cell wall, comprises alternating units of N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and...
Peptidoglycan Synthesis01:28

Peptidoglycan Synthesis

Structure of PeptidoglycanPeptidoglycan is a vital structural component of the bacterial cell wall, providing mechanical strength and shape to the cell. It consists of repeating units of two sugars—N-acetylglucosamine (NAG) and N-acetylmuramic acid (NAM)—linked by β-1,4 glycosidic bonds. These sugar chains are cross-linked by short peptide chains, forming a mesh-like polymer that surrounds the bacterial plasma membrane.Cytoplasmic Phase – Precursor SynthesisPeptidoglycan biosynthesis begins in...
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis01:23

Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis

Bacterial cell walls are typically rigid structures composed mainly of peptidoglycan, a mesh-like polymer that provides mechanical strength and maintains cell shape. The synthesis of peptidoglycan is a crucial process in bacterial growth and serves as a primary target for many antibiotics.Mechanism of Action of Beta-Lactam AntibioticsBeta-lactam antibiotics, such as penicillin, inhibit peptidoglycan synthesis in actively growing cells. These antibiotics share a characteristic four-membered...