Morphological and functional asymmetry in alpha-proteobacteria.
The release of an increasing number of complete bacterial genomic sequences allows the evolutionary analysis of processes such as regulatory networks. CtrA is a response regulator of the OmpR subfamily, belonging to a complex regulatory network in the dimorphic bacterium Caulobacter crescentus. It coordinates the cell cycle with an asymmetric division, which is part of the adaptation of Caulobacter to poor-nutrient environments. CtrA is only found in alpha-proteobacteria, a group of bacteria encompassing genera with very distinct lifestyles, including host-associated bacteria. Analyses of CtrA regulatory networks and morphological examinations of some alpha-proteobacteria are presented. Our observations suggest that the core of the CtrA regulation network is conserved and that alpha-proteobacteria divide asymmetrically. We propose that the two daughter cells might be differentiated bacteria, each one displaying specific functions.
Hallez
Régis
R
Unité de Recherche en Biologie Moléculaire (URBM), University of Namur, 61 rue de Bruxelles, B-5000 Namur, Belgium.
Bellefontaine
Anne-Flore
AF
Letesson
Jean-Jacques
JJ
De Bolle
Xavier
X
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D001665:Binding Sites; D016935:Caulobacter crescentus / Q000166:cytology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000502:physiology*; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000502:physiology*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C097706:CtrA protein, Caulobacter; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D014157:Transcription Factors