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Related Concept Videos

Eukaryotic Compartmentalizations01:46

Eukaryotic Compartmentalizations

One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal cells...
Prokaryotic Cells01:51

Prokaryotic Cells

Prokaryotes are small unicellular organisms that include the domains—Archaea and Bacteria. Bacteria include many common organisms, such as Salmonella and E. coli, while the Archaea include extremophiles that live in harsh environments, such as volcanic springs.
Like eukaryotic cells, all prokaryotic cells are surrounded by a plasma membrane, have genetic material in the form of single, circular DNA, a cytoplasm that fills the interior of the cell, and ribosomes that synthesize proteins.
Eukaryotic Compartmentalization01:46

Eukaryotic Compartmentalization

One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal cells...
Protein Diffusion in the Membrane01:24

Protein Diffusion in the Membrane

Proteins show rotational as well as lateral diffusion across the membrane. The lateral diffusion of proteins was confirmed through the cell fusion experiment where mouse and human cells were fused, resulting in hybrid cells. When the human and mouse cells fused, the specific membrane proteins on human and mouse cells were marked with the red and green-fluorescent markers, respectively. Initially, the red and green fluorescence was located on the respective hemisphere of the cell. As time...
Prokaryotic Cells01:28

Prokaryotic Cells

Prokaryotes are small unicellular organisms that include the domains — Archaea and Bacteria. Bacteria include many common microorganisms, such as Salmonella and E. coli, while the Archaea include extremophiles that live in harsh environments, such as volcanic springs.
Like eukaryotic cells, all prokaryotic cells are surrounded by a plasma membrane, have genetic material in the form of single, circular DNA, a cytoplasm that fills the interior of the cell, and ribosomes that synthesize proteins.
Eukaryotic Compartmentalization01:37

Eukaryotic Compartmentalization

One of the distinguishing features of eukaryotic cells is that they contain membrane-bound organelles, such as the nucleus and mitochondria, that carry out specialized functions. Since biological membranes are only selectively permeable to solutes, they help create a compartment with controlled conditions inside an organelle. These microenvironments are tailored to the organelle's specific functions and help isolate them from the surrounding cytosol.
For example, lysosomes in the animal cells...

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In Vitro Reconstitution of Self-Organizing Protein Patterns on Supported Lipid Bilayers
08:10

In Vitro Reconstitution of Self-Organizing Protein Patterns on Supported Lipid Bilayers

Published on: July 28, 2018

General protein diffusion barriers create compartments within bacterial cells.

Susan Schlimpert1, Eric A Klein, Ariane Briegel

  • 1Max Planck Research Group Prokaryotic Cell Biology, Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology, Karl-von-Frisch-Strasse 10, 35043 Marburg, Germany.

Cell
|December 4, 2012
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study reveals a protein-mediated membrane diffusion barrier in Caulobacter crescentus. This barrier compartmentalizes the cell envelope, enabling faster adaptation to environmental changes.

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Area of Science:

  • Cell biology
  • Microbiology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • Eukaryotic cells use diffusion barriers to compartmentalize proteins within cellular extensions.
  • Prokaryotes also exhibit complex cellular architectures, yet diffusion barriers remain largely uncharacterized.
  • Understanding prokaryotic compartmentalization is crucial for deciphering their cellular organization.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and nature of membrane diffusion barriers in prokaryotes.
  • To identify the molecular components and function of such barriers in Caulobacter crescentus.
  • To determine the role of these barriers in bacterial adaptation and cellular fitness.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized advanced microscopy techniques to visualize cellular structures.
  • Employed biochemical assays to identify protein components of the barrier.
  • Conducted genetic analyses to assess the barrier's function and necessity.

Main Results:

  • Identified a novel protein-mediated membrane diffusion barrier in Caulobacter crescentus.
  • Demonstrated that this barrier prevents protein exchange between the cell body and the polar stalk.
  • Characterized the barrier as a macromolecular complex of at least four proteins, assembling in a cell-cycle-dependent manner.

Conclusions:

  • The identified barrier is essential for compartmentalizing the Caulobacter cell envelope.
  • This compartmentalization minimizes effective cell volume, facilitating rapid adaptation to environmental shifts.
  • The findings reveal a conserved mechanism for cellular organization in prokaryotes, analogous to eukaryotic diffusion barriers.