Pushing and pulling in prokaryotic DNA segregation.
In prokaryotes, DNA can be segregated by three different types of cytoskeletal filaments. The best-understood type of partitioning (par) locus encodes an actin homolog called ParM, which forms dynamically unstable filaments that push plasmids apart in a process reminiscent of mitosis. However, the most common type of par locus, which is present on many plasmids and most bacterial chromosomes, encodes a P loop ATPase (ParA) that distributes plasmids equidistant from one another on the bacterial nucleoid. A third type of par locus encodes a tubulin homolog (TubZ) that forms cytoskeletal filaments that move rapidly with treadmill dynamics.
Gerdes
Kenn
K
Centre for Bacterial Cell Biology, Institute for Cell and Molecular Biosciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE2 4AX, UK. kenn.gerdes@ncl.ac.uk
Howard
Martin
M
Szardenings
Florian
F
D000199:Actins / Q000378:metabolism; D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D002876:Chromosomes, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D010957:Plasmids / Q000378:metabolism; D014404:Tubulin / Q000378:metabolism
D000199:Actins; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D014404:Tubulin