Plasmid segregation: spatial awareness at the molecular level.
In bacteria, low-copy number plasmids ensure their stable inheritance by partition loci (par), which actively distribute plasmid replicates to each side of the cell division plane. Using time-lapse fluorescence microscopic tracking of segregating plasmid molecules, a new study provides novel insight into the workings of the par system from Escherichia coli plasmid R1. Despite its relative simplicity, the plasmid partition spindle shares characteristics with the mitotic machinery of eukaryotic cells.
Møller-Jensen
Jakob
J
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark. jakobm@bmb.sdu.dk
Gerdes
Kenn
K
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D020090:Chromosome Segregation; D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D000199:Actins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C052883:chromosome partition proteins, bacterial; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases