Selective cell cycle transcription requires membrane synthesis in Caulobacter.
Caulobacter crescentus divides asymmetrically and creates distinct polar membrane surfaces that partition during the cell cycle to distinct cell progeny. Blocking membrane synthesis prevented transcription from selective promoters involved in asymmetric cell division. Transcription from sigma-54-dependent flagellar promoters was blocked completely; however, transcription from the CtrA response regulator-dependent flagellar promoters was activated but reduced. Transcription from the ccrM (DNA methylation) promoter and the che (chemosensory) promoter was also blocked completely. Transcription from a strong promoter at the chromosome replication origin was first stopped then induced by blocked membrane synthesis. We propose a feedback control coupling membrane synthesis to transcription that selectively supports membrane-associated processes such as flagellar assembly, chemosensory biogenesis and chromosome replication.
Brassinga
A K
AK
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, McGill University, 3775 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, Canada H3A 2B4.
Gorbatyuk
B
B
Ouimet
M C
MC
Marczynski
G T
GT
D016935:Caulobacter crescentus / Q000166:cytology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000235:genetics*; D002455:Cell Division; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005246:Feedback; D005408:Flagellin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D005798:Genes, Bacterial; D005993:Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009876:Operon; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D018741:Replication Origin; D015265:Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific) / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D005408:Flagellin; D005993:Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase; C096203:glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (NAD(P)+); C098075:DNA modification methylase CcrM; D015265:Site-Specific DNA-Methyltransferase (Adenine-Specific)