Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 7, 2026
09:10
Synthesis of Masarimycin, a Small Molecule Inhibitor of Gram-Positive Bacterial Growth
Published on: January 7, 2022
Peptidoglycan architecture can specify division planes in Staphylococcus aureus
Robert D Turner1, Emma C Ratcliffe, Richard Wheeler
1Krebs Institute, University of Sheffield, Firth Court, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, UK.
Nature Communications
|October 27, 2010
Summary
Staphylococcus aureus divides using peptidoglycan structures that mark past division sites. This cellular "memory" guides future divisions in orthogonal planes, maintaining the genus
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Biophysics
Background:
- Staphylococci exhibit characteristic 'bunch of grapes' morphology due to division along sequentially orthogonal planes.
- Cell shape and division plane localization in Staphylococci are primarily maintained by the peptidoglycan cell wall.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the architecture and dynamics of peptidoglycan during cell division in Staphylococcus aureus.
- To correlate peptidoglycan structures with the cell cycle and understand their role in division plane fidelity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to visualize peptidoglycan architecture.
- Employed fluorescence microscopy with vancomycin labeling to study peptidoglycan dynamics.
- Correlated observed structures with the Staphylococcus aureus cell cycle.
Main Results:
- Identified a large peptidoglycan belt with a 'piecrust' texture at the presumptive septum before septal disc formation.
- Observed that orthogonal peptidoglycan ribs remain after division, marking previous division sites.
- These residual structures appear to encode positional information for subsequent cell divisions.
Conclusions:
- Propose that residual peptidoglycan structures act as epigenetic markers for division plane localization.
- This mechanism explains how Staphylococcus aureus maintains fidelity in dividing along sequentially orthogonal planes over generations.
- The findings provide insight into the spatial organization and division process of spherical bacteria.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:28Peptidoglycan 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...
01:29Archaeal 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...
01:22Bacterial 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...
01:29Cytoskeletal 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...
01:23Inhibitors 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...
02:13Determining the Plane of Cell Division
Positioning the cell division plane is a critical step during development and cell differentiation, particularly during mitosis when the plane is essential for determining the size of the two daughter cells. The cell division plane is perpendicular to the plane of chromosome segregation, but different types of organisms have different cell division mechanisms to suit their morphology and function.
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...
Animal cells
In animal cells, the cleavage furrow forms along the plane of cell division starting...