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08:59
Defining Substrate Specificities for Lipase and Phospholipase Candidates
Published on: November 23, 2016
Cardiolipin synthase is required for Streptomyces coelicolor morphogenesis
Vinod Jyothikumar1, Khanungkan Klanbut, John Tiong
1Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, University of Strathclyde, 161 Cathedral Street, Glasgow G4 0RE, UK.
Molecular Microbiology
|March 14, 2012
Summary
Cardiolipin, an anionic phospholipid, is crucial for Streptomyces coelicolor morphogenesis. Its synthesis impacts cell structure, aerial hyphae formation, and spore development, highlighting its essential role in bacterial development.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The fluid mosaic model of cell membranes has been updated to include membrane domains with specific phospholipid compositions.
- Cardiolipin, an anionic phospholipid, is found at the cell poles in rod-shaped bacteria, but its function in filamentous bacteria like Streptomyces coelicolor is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of cardiolipin in the morphogenesis of the filamentous bacterium Streptomyces coelicolor.
- To determine the function of cardiolipin synthase (clsA) in Streptomyces coelicolor development.
Main Methods:
- Genetic manipulation of clsA expression using an inducible promoter.
- Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) for phospholipid profiling.
- Mass spectrometry for cardiolipin analysis.
- Microscopy and quantitative analysis of hyphal dimensions.
- Localization studies using ClsA-EGFP fusion protein.
Main Results:
- clsA deletion was not possible without complementation, and inducible expression controlled phospholipid profiles and morphogenesis.
- Depletion of clsA altered phospholipid profiles, specifically reducing larger cardiolipin species.
- Cardiolipin, but not ClsA-EGFP, localized to hyphal tips, branch points, and anucleate regions.
- Altered clsA expression affected mycelial architecture, aerial hyphae formation, and resulted in weakened hyphal tips, misshapen aerial hyphae, and anucleate spores upon overexpression.
Conclusions:
- Cardiolipin synthesis is essential for proper morphogenesis in Streptomyces coelicolor.
- Cardiolipin localization and levels are critical for regulating hyphal tip growth, branching, and aerial development.
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