title: c-di-GMP heterogeneity is generated by the chemotaxis machinery to regulate flagellar motility.
abstract: Individual cell heterogeneity is commonly observed within populations, although its molecular basis is largely unknown. Previously, using FRET-based microscopy, we observed heterogeneity in cellular c-di-GMP levels. In this study, we show that c-di-GMP heterogeneity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is promoted by a specific phosphodiesterase partitioned after cell division. We found that subcellular localization and reduction of c-di-GMP levels by this phosphodiesterase is dependent on the histidine kinase component of the chemotaxis machinery, CheA, and its phosphorylation state. Therefore, individual cell heterogeneity in c-di-GMP concentrations is regulated by the activity and the asymmetrical inheritance of the chemotaxis organelle after cell division. c-di-GMP heterogeneity results in a diversity of motility behaviors. The generation of diverse intracellular concentrations of c-di-GMP by asymmetric partitioning is likely important to the success and survival of bacterial populations within the environment by allowing a variety of motility behaviors. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.01402.001.
authors.affiliation: Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, United States.
authors.forename: Bridget R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Kulasekara
authors.forename: Cassandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kamischke
authors.forename: Hemantha D
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Kulasekara
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Christen
authors.forename: Paul A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Wiggins
authors.forename: Samuel I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D002633:Chemotaxis; D006152:Cyclic GMP / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000378:metabolism; D005407:Flagella / Q000502:physiology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C062025:bis(3',5')-cyclic diguanylic acid; D006152:Cyclic GMP
keywords: FRET; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; biosensor; c-di-GMP; chemotaxis; heterogeneity