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Updated: May 23, 2025

Synchronization of Caulobacter Crescentus for Investigation of the Bacterial Cell Cycle
Published on: April 8, 2015
How do spherical bacteria regulate cell division?
Félix Ramos-León1, Kumaran S Ramamurthi1
1Laboratory of Molecular Biology, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, U.S.A.
Abstract:
Many bacteria divide by binary fission, producing two identical daughter cells, which requires proper placement of the division machinery at mid-cell. Spherical bacteria (cocci) face unique challenges due to their lack of natural polarity. In this review, we compile current knowledge on how cocci regulate cell division, how they select the proper division plane, and ensure accurate Z-ring positioning at mid-cell. While Streptococcus pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus are the most well-studied models for cell division in cocci, we also cover other less-characterized cocci across different bacterial groups and discuss the conservation of known Z-ring positioning mechanisms in these understudied bacteria.
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