title: Partitioning of P1 plasmids by gradual distribution of the ATPase ParA.
abstract: Recently, it has been reported that prokaryotes also have a mitotic-like apparatus in which polymerized fibres govern the bipolar movement of chromosomes and plasmids. Here, we show evidence that a non-mitotic-like apparatus that does not form polymerized filaments carries out plasmid partitioning. P1 ParA, which is a DNA-binding ATPase protein, was found to be distributed through the whole nucleoid and formed a dense spot at the centre of the nucleoid. The fluorescent intensity of the ParA spot blinked, and then the spot gradually migrated from the midcell to a cell quarter position. Such distribution was not observed in anucleate cells, suggesting that the nucleoid could be a matrix for gradual distribution of ParA. Plasmid DNA constantly colocalized at the spot of ParA and migrated according to spot migration and separation. Thus, the gradient distribution of ParA determines the destination of partitioning plasmids and may direct plasmids to the cell quarters.
authors.affiliation: Microbial Genetics Laboratory, Genetic Strains Research Center, National Institute of Genetics, 1111 Yata, Mishima, Shizuoka 411-8540, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshiyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hatano
authors.forename: Hironori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Niki
mesh_terms: D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001419:Bacteria / Q000166:cytology* / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002455:Cell Division; D002466:Cell Nucleolus / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D010957:Plasmids / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D021381:Protein Transport
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; C052883:chromosome partition proteins, bacterial; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases