Overview of cell shape: cytoskeletons shape bacterial cells.
An evolving hypothesis is that bacterial cell shape is determined by cytoskeletal elements that localize peptidoglycan synthetic machineries. In most bacteria FtsZ assembles into the Z ring which recruits the machinery necessary for cytokinesis. Most rod shaped cells require MreB which assembles into cables that run between the poles of the cell and distribute various components of peptidoglycan metabolism along the cell length. Cells with other shapes have additional cytoskeletal elements that either localize synthetic machineries or possibly influence their activity.
Pichoff
Sebastien
S
University of Kansas Medical Center, Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, 39th and Rainbow Blvd, Kansas City, KS 66160, United States.
Lutkenhaus
Joe
J
D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015964:Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial; D009024:Morphogenesis / Q000502:physiology*
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C071525:FtsZ protein, Bacteria; C078473:MreB protein, E coli