Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026
12:52
High-Throughput Live Imaging of Microcolonies to Measure Heterogeneity in Growth and Gene Expression
Published on: April 18, 2021
5.6K
Non-random distribution of macromolecules as driving forces for phenotypic variation
Michael Jahn1, Susanne Günther1, Susann Müller1
1Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department Environmental Microbiology, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
Current Opinion in Microbiology
|May 15, 2015
Summary
Cells diversify through unequal division, distributing molecules like proteins and DNA. This review explores mechanisms of macromolecule segregation and their impact on cell fate and function.
Area of Science:
- Cellular Biology
- Microbiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Clonal populations diversify phenotypes to adapt to environmental constraints.
- Cell division is a primary source of phenotypic variability due to unequal partitioning of cellular components.
- Macromolecule segregation mechanisms are crucial for maintaining cellular function and preventing aging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review passive and active mechanisms of macromolecule segregation during cell division.
- To explore how segregation impacts metabolically pertinent molecules and detrimental components.
- To examine the role of plasmid and chromosomal copy number variation in cell fate.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of cellular diversification strategies.
- Analysis of macromolecule segregation mechanisms in microbial systems.
- Examination of gene dosage effects on cellular traits.
Main Results:
- Cells employ diverse strategies for segregating macromolecules, including PHA/PHB, polyphosphates, damaged proteins, and rDNA circles.
- Mechanisms controlling plasmid copy number (PCN) variation and partitioning systems ensure distribution fidelity.
- Chromosomal copy number differences influence cell fate, affecting sporulation in Bacillus subtilis and functional traits in Sinorhizobium meliloti.
Conclusions:
- Macromolecule segregation is a fundamental process driving cellular diversification and adaptation.
- Unequal partitioning of cellular components significantly impacts cell phenotype and function.
- Understanding segregation mechanisms provides insights into microbial evolution and biotechnological applications.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:09Mutation, Gene Flow, and Genetic Drift
66.2K
In a population that is not at Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the frequency of alleles changes over time. Therefore, any deviations from the five conditions of Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium can alter the genetic variation of a given population. Conditions that change the genetic variability of a population include mutations, natural selection, non-random mating, gene flow, and genetic drift (small population size).
66.2K
02:27Background and Environment Affect Phenotype
8.2K
Although the genetic makeup of an organism plays a major role in determining the phenotype, there are also several environmental factors, such as temperature, oxygen availability, presence of mutagens, that can alter an organism’s phenotype.
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
An example of how genetic background affects phenotype can be seen in horses. The Extension gene in horses is responsible for their coat color. A wild-type gene (EE) produces black pigment in the coat, while a mutant gene (ee) produces red pigment. A...
8.2K
02:32Position-effect Variegation
7.3K
In 1928, a German botanist Emil Heitz observed the moss nuclei with a DNA binding dye. He observed that while some chromatin regions decondense and spread out in the interphase nucleus, others do not. He termed them euchromatin and heterochromatin, respectively. He proposed that the heterochromatin regions reflect a functionally inactive state of the genome. It was later confirmed that heterochromatin is transcriptionally repressed, and euchromatin is transcriptionally active chromatin.
7.3K
02:39Gene Flow
39.1K
Gene flow is the transfer of genes among populations, resulting from either the dispersal of gametes or from the migration of individuals.
39.1K
01:26Evolutionary Processes in Microbes
155
Microbial evolution occurs rapidly due to short generation times and a variety of genetic processes, including horizontal gene transfer, mutation, recombination, and genetic drift. These mechanisms collectively enable microbes to adapt swiftly to changing environments.Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) allows genes to move between different species and occurs through three main mechanisms: conjugation, transformation, and transduction. Conjugation involves direct cell-to-cell contact for DNA...
155
03:33Genetic Drift
45.4K
Natural selection—probably the most well-known evolutionary mechanism—increases the prevalence of traits that enhance survival and reproduction. However, evolution does not merely propagate favorable traits, nor does it always benefit populations.
45.4K