Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Nucleoid01:24

Nucleoid

1.5K
The nucleoid represents a structurally and functionally distinct region within prokaryotic cells, where the cell's DNA and associated proteins are housed. Unlike eukaryotic cells, prokaryotes lack a membrane-bound nucleus, and the nucleoid facilitates the organization and accessibility of the genetic material within this constraint. The DNA in most bacteria and archaea exists as a single, circular, double-stranded molecule that is highly compacted through supercoiling and interactions with...
1.5K
Plasmids01:28

Plasmids

3.6K
Plasmids are extrachromosomal DNA molecules found in bacteria, archaea, and some eukaryotic microbes like yeast. These small, circular DNA structures typically contain fewer than 30 genes, although some may exist linearly. Plasmids vary in their number within a cell, known as copy number. Single-copy plasmids are present in one copy per cell and multi-copy plasmids are present in multiple copies, reaching over 100 copies per cell.Plasmids usually replicate independently of the chromosomal DNA...
3.6K
Cytoskeletal Proteins in Bacteria01:29

Cytoskeletal Proteins in Bacteria

4.4K
Bacterial cells were initially considered simple, randomly organized structures lacking a cytoskeleton. However, the discovery of cytoskeleton homologs in bacteria led to the change of this opinion. Bacterial cytoskeletal filaments regulate the cell shape, cell polarity, cell division, and partitioning of plasmids during cell division. It was later discovered that bacterial cytoskeletal proteins, mainly actin and tubulin homologs, are diverse compared to their eukaryotic counterparts. On the...
4.4K
Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes00:46

Genomic DNA in Prokaryotes

49.7K
The genome of most prokaryotic organisms consists of double-stranded DNA organized into one circular chromosome in a region of cytoplasm called the nucleoid. The chromosome is tightly wound, or supercoiled, for efficient storage. Prokaryotes also contain other circular pieces of DNA called plasmids. These plasmids are smaller than the chromosome and often carry genes that confer adaptive functions, such as antibiotic resistance.
Genomic Diversity in Bacteria
Although bacterial genomes are much...
49.7K
Microtubule Instability02:17

Microtubule Instability

6.4K
Microtubules are hollow cylindrical filaments having a diameter of approximately 25 nm and a length that varies from 200 nm to 25 μm. GTP-bound tubulin subunits form αβ-heterodimers for microtubule assembly. These core building blocks interact longitudinally, polymerizing into protofilaments. The protofilaments then interact with one another through lateral bonding forces to form stable cylindrical microtubules. These cylindrical filaments are dynamic as they undergo repeated...
6.4K
DNA Packaging00:58

DNA Packaging

114.2K
Overview
114.2K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Structures of DnaA domain I reveal a dimer conserved across Actinomycetes.

Nucleic acids research·2026
Same author

Dual-function enzyme acts as a global c-di-GMP sink and local anti sigma factor antagonist to drive cellular differentiation.

PLoS genetics·2026
Same author

Transcription activation mechanism of a noncanonical DNA damage response pathway by the WYL-activator, DriD.

Science advances·2026
Same author

Mitochondrial cardiolipin sequestration of caspofungin underlies <i>Cryptococcus neoformans</i> inherent resistance and may contribute to cardiotoxicity.

bioRxiv : the preprint server for biology·2026
Same author

Let's wrap things up: Open and closed hypernucleosomes in Asgard archaea.

Molecular cell·2025
Same author

Structural Studies on the M. tuberculosis Nucleoid-associated-Protein, NapA, Indicates DNA Bridging Mechanism.

Journal of molecular biology·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Plasmid Stability Analysis with Open-Source Droplet Microfluidics
07:43

Plasmid Stability Analysis with Open-Source Droplet Microfluidics

Published on: December 27, 2024

1.2K

A three-dimensional ParF meshwork assembles through the nucleoid to mediate plasmid segregation.

Brett N McLeod1, Gina E Allison-Gamble1, Madhuri T Barge1

  • 1Department of Biology, University of York, Wentworth Way, York YO10 5DD, UK.

Nucleic Acids Research
|December 31, 2016
PubMed
Summary

Bacteria use DNA partition proteins like ParF to segregate genetic material. This study reveals ParF forms a dynamic 3D meshwork, guided by ParG, essential for plasmid segregation and cell division.

More Related Videos

Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach
12:32

Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach

Published on: December 14, 2019

14.8K
Production of Double-stranded DNA Ministrings
06:12

Production of Double-stranded DNA Ministrings

Published on: February 29, 2016

10.8K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Plasmid Stability Analysis with Open-Source Droplet Microfluidics
07:43

Plasmid Stability Analysis with Open-Source Droplet Microfluidics

Published on: December 27, 2024

1.2K
Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach
12:32

Quantification of Plasmid-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in an Experimental Evolution Approach

Published on: December 14, 2019

14.8K
Production of Double-stranded DNA Ministrings
06:12

Production of Double-stranded DNA Ministrings

Published on: February 29, 2016

10.8K

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • Genome segregation is crucial for cell division in all organisms.
  • Bacteria utilize specific DNA partition systems, such as the ParA family, for efficient chromosome and plasmid segregation.
  • Understanding the dynamic mechanisms of these partition systems is key to comprehending bacterial cell cycle regulation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the structural organization and dynamic behavior of the ParF DNA partition protein.
  • To investigate the role of the ParG protein in regulating ParF activity and plasmid segregation.
  • To propose a novel model for DNA segregation based on the observed ParF dynamics.

Main Methods:

  • Super-resolution microscopy was employed to visualize the three-dimensional assembly of ParF.
  • Biochemical assays were used to study the effect of ParG on ParF adenosine triphosphate (ATP) hydrolysis.
  • Genetic manipulation of ParF and ParG was performed to analyze partition-deficient phenotypes.

Main Results:

  • ParF assembles into a dynamic, three-dimensional meshwork that utilizes the nucleoid as a scaffold and shuttles between cell poles.
  • ParG acts as a temporal regulator, controlling ParF assembly cycles and plasmid segregation by stimulating ParF ATP hydrolysis.
  • Disruption of ParG-mediated temporal regulation leads to defective plasmid segregation due to altered ParF structure or dynamics.

Conclusions:

  • The ParF meshwork's dynamic relocation and nucleoid localization are necessary but not sufficient for plasmid segregation.
  • A 'Venus flytrap' model is proposed, integrating ParA polymerization and gradient formation concepts for cargo distribution.
  • Transient, dynamic polymer networks branching into the nucleoid may represent a widespread mechanism for intracellular cargo distribution in prokaryotes.