DNA replication during aggregation phase is essential for Myxococcus xanthus development.
Previous studies have demonstrated that fruiting body-derived Myxococcus xanthus myxospores contain two fully replicated copies of its genome, implying developmental control of chromosome replication and septation. In this study, we employ DNA replication inhibitors to determine if chromosome replication is essential to development and the exact time frame in which chromosome replication occurs within the developmental cycle. Our results show that DNA replication during the aggregation phase is essential for developmental progression, implying the existence of a checkpoint that monitors chromosome integrity at the end of the aggregation phase.
Section of Microbiology, Center for Genetics and Development, University of California-Davis, 1 Shields Ave., Davis, CA 95616, USA.
Linfong
L
Tzeng
Terri N
TN
Ellis
Mitchell
M
Singer
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D027081:DNA Gyrase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004261:DNA Replication; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000187:drug effects; D024881:Drug Resistance, Bacterial / Q000235:genetics; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020125:Mutation, Missense; D016941:Myxococcus xanthus / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D009268:Nalidixic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D010784:Photomicrography; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology; D059005:Topoisomerase II Inhibitors
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D059005:Topoisomerase II Inhibitors; D009268:Nalidixic Acid; D027081:DNA Gyrase