Actively replicating nucleoids influence positioning of division sites in Escherichia coli filaments forming cells lacking DNA.
The positioning of constrictions in Escherichia coli filaments pinching off anucleate cells was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy of dnaX(Ts), dnaX(Ts) sfiA, dnaA46(Ts), gyrA(Am) supF(Ts), and gyrB(Ts) mutants. In filaments with actively replicating nucleoids, constrictions were positioned close to the nucleoid, whereas in nonreplicating filaments, positioning of constrictions within the anucleate region was nearly random. We conclude that constriction positioning depends in an unknown way on nucleoid replication activity.
Mulder
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Department of Molecular Cell Biology, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Woldringh
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CL
D002455:Cell Division; D004261:DNA Replication; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development; D005838:Genotype; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009154:Mutation; D013936:Thymidine / Q000378:metabolism
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D013936:Thymidine