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ParA and ParB coordinate chromosome segregation with cell elongation and division during Streptomyces sporulation

Magdalena Donczew1, Paweł Mackiewicz1, Agnieszka Wróbel1

  • 1Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Wrocław, Joliot-Curie 14A, Wrocław 50-383, Poland.

Open Biology
|June 2, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Bacterial ParA and ParB proteins coordinate chromosome segregation with cell division. In Streptomyces, these proteins regulate sporulation by synchronizing hyphal extension and septation, ensuring proper cell cycle progression.

Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • ParA and ParB proteins are essential for chromosome segregation and cell division in bacteria.
  • In Streptomyces, these proteins distribute multiple chromosomes during sporulation, forming unigenomic spores.
  • Coordinating chromosome segregation with cell elongation and division is critical during Streptomyces sporulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of ParA and ParB proteins in synchronizing cell-cycle processes during Streptomyces sporulation.
  • To determine if ParA and ParB influence hyphal extension and division timing.

Main Methods:

  • Time-lapse microscopy was employed to monitor the growth and division of single Streptomyces sporogenic hyphae.
  • Analysis of ParA accumulation, Z-ring formation, and hyphal extension rates.
  • Investigated the impact of ParA and ParB on nucleoprotein complex formation and FtsZ ring assembly.

Main Results:

  • Sporogenic hyphae extension ceased upon ParA accumulation and Z-ring formation.
  • Both ParA and ParB were found to influence the rate of hyphal extension.
  • ParA promotes ParB-nucleoprotein complex formation, and FtsZ ring assembly is affected by ParB and/or DNA status.

Conclusions:

  • A checkpoint exists between hyphal extension and septation in Streptomyces sporulation.
  • The ParA and ParB proteins are integral components of this checkpoint, regulating cell-cycle synchronization.
Keywords:
ParABStreptomycesbacterial cell divisionbacterial cell growthchromosome segregationsporulation

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