title: Architecture and Characteristics of Bacterial Nanotubes.
abstract: Bacteria display an array of contact-dependent interaction systems that have evolved to facilitate direct cell-to-cell communication. We have previously identified a mode of bacterial communication mediated by nanotubes bridging neighboring cells. Here, we elucidate nanotube architecture, dynamics, and molecular components. Utilizing Bacillus subtilis as a model organism, we found that at low cell density, nanotubes exhibit remarkable complexity, existing as both intercellular tubes and extending tubes, with the latter frequently surrounding the cells in a "root-like" fashion. Observing nanotube formation in real time showed that these structures are formed in the course of minutes, displaying rapid movements. Utilizing a combination of super-resolution, light, and electron microscopy, we revealed that nanotubes are composed of chains of membranous segments harboring a continuous lumen. Furthermore, we discovered that a conserved calcineurin-like protein, YmdB, presents in nanotubes and is required for both nanotube production and intercellular molecular trade.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, POB 12272, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
authors.forename: Gyanendra P
authors.initials: GP
authors.lastname: Dubey
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, POB 12272, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
authors.forename: Ganesh Babu
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Malli Mohan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dubrovsky
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
authors.forename: Triana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Amen
authors.affiliation: Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
authors.forename: Shai
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tsipshtein
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, POB 12272, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rouvinski
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, POB 12272, Jerusalem 91120, Israel.
authors.forename: Alex
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rosenberg
authors.affiliation: Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Alexander Silberman Institute of Life Sciences, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kaganovich
authors.affiliation: Racah Institute of Physics, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
authors.forename: Eilon
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Life Sciences and the National Institute for Biotechnology in the Negev, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva 84120, Israel.
authors.forename: Ohad
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Medalia
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Institute for Medical Research Israel-Canada, The Hebrew University-Hadassah Medical School, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, POB 12272, Jerusalem 91120, Israel. Electronic address: sigalb@ekmd.huji.ac.il.
authors.forename: Sigal
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ben-Yehuda
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D018407:Bacterial Physiological Phenomena; D002452:Cell Count; D008027:Light; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D043942:Nanotubes / Q000648:ultrastructure*