Asymmetrical distribution of the second messenger c-di-GMP upon bacterial cell division

Science. 2010 Jun 4;328(5983):1295-7. doi: 10.1126/science.1188658.

Abstract

The bacterial second messenger cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP) regulates cellular motility and the synthesis of organelles and molecules that promote adhesion to a variety of biological and nonbiological surfaces. These properties likely require tight spatial and temporal regulation of c-di-GMP concentration. We have developed genetically encoded fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors to monitor c-di-GMP concentrations within single bacterial cells by microscopy. Fluctuations of c-di-GMP were visualized in diverse Gram-negative bacterial species and observed to be cell cycle dependent. Asymmetrical distribution of c-di-GMP in the progeny correlated with the time of cell division and polarization for Caulobacter crescentus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Thus, asymmetrical distribution of c-di-GMP was observed as part of cell division, which may indicate an important regulatory step in extracellular organelle biosynthesis or function.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Biosensing Techniques
  • Caulobacter crescentus / cytology*
  • Caulobacter crescentus / genetics
  • Caulobacter crescentus / metabolism*
  • Cell Division*
  • Cyclic GMP / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cyclic GMP / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / cytology
  • Klebsiella pneumoniae / metabolism
  • Microscopy
  • Movement
  • Mutation
  • Phosphorus-Oxygen Lyases / genetics
  • Phosphorus-Oxygen Lyases / metabolism
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / cytology*
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / genetics
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / metabolism*
  • Salmonella typhimurium / cytology
  • Salmonella typhimurium / metabolism
  • Second Messenger Systems*

Substances

  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • bis(3',5')-cyclic diguanylic acid
  • Phosphorus-Oxygen Lyases
  • diguanylate cyclase
  • Cyclic GMP