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SMC is recruited to oriC by ParB and promotes chromosome segregation in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Anita Minnen1, Laetitia Attaiech, Maria Thon

  • 1Molecular Genetics Group, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, Centre for Synthetic Biology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Molecular Microbiology
|June 10, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Streptococcus pneumoniae uses the DNA-binding protein ParB to recruit condensin (SMC) for chromosome segregation. While this system functions, other unknown mechanisms also ensure proper segregation in this pathogen.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics

Background:

  • Chromosome segregation is vital for all organisms.
  • The mechanisms of chromosome segregation in bacteria like Streptococcus pneumoniae are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of the ParB protein and condensin (SMC) in chromosome segregation in Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • To compare the segregation mechanisms between Streptococcus pneumoniae and Bacillus subtilis.

Main Methods:

  • Investigated the interaction between ParB and SMC in Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • Analyzed the effect of deleting smc and/or parB genes on chromosome segregation.
  • Assessed the essentiality of smc in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

Main Results:

  • ParB recruits SMC to parS sites near the origin of replication in Streptococcus pneumoniae, similar to Bacillus subtilis.
  • smc is not essential for survival in Streptococcus pneumoniae.
  • Deletion of smc and/or parB leads to mild chromosome segregation defects.

Conclusions:

  • Streptococcus pneumoniae possesses a functional chromosome segregation machine involving ParB and SMC.
  • The recruitment of SMC by ParB promotes efficient chromosome segregation.
  • Additional, uncharacterized mechanisms contribute to proper chromosome segregation in Streptococcus pneumoniae.

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