The choreographed dynamics of bacterial chromosomes.
Despite decades of study, the exquisite temporal and spatial organization of bacterial chromosomes has only recently been appreciated. The direct visualization of specific chromosomal loci has revealed that bacteria condense, move and position their chromosomes in a reproducible fashion. The realization that bacterial chromosomes are actively translocated through the cell suggests the existence of specific mechanisms that direct this process. Here, we review bacterial chromosome dynamics and our understanding of the mechanisms that direct and coordinate them.
Gitai
Zemer
Z
Department of Developmental Biology, Beckman Center, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. zgitai@princeton.edu
Thanbichler
Martin
M
Shapiro
Lucy
L
D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D016935:Caulobacter crescentus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D018741:Replication Origin / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology