title: On the link between cell cycle and infection of the AlphaproteobacteriumBrucella abortus.
abstract: Bacteria of theBrucellagenus are responsible for brucellosis, a worldwide zoonosis. These bacteria are known to have a peculiar intracellular trafficking, with a first long and non-proliferative endosomal stage and a second proliferation stage, often associated with its localization of the bacteria in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). However, the status of the bacterial cell cycle during the non-proliferative phase was still unknown. In a recent study [Nat. Communic. 5:4366], we followed the cell cycle ofB. abortusin culture and inside the host cells. In culture,B. abortusinitiates the replication of its large chromosome before the small chromosome. The origin and terminator regions of these two chromosomes display distinct localization and dynamics withinB. abortus. In HeLa cells and RAW264.7 macrophages, the bacteria in G1 (i.e. before the initiation of chromosomes replication) are preferentially found during the endosomal stage of the infection. During this period, growth is also arrested. The cell cycle arrest and resume during theB. abortustrafficking in host cell suggest that like the model AlphaproteobacteriumCaulobacter crescentus, these bacteria are able to block their cell cycle at the G1 phase when starvation is sensed.
authors.affiliation: URBM, UNamur, Belgium.
authors.forename: Michaël
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Deghelt
authors.affiliation: URBM, UNamur, Belgium.
authors.forename: Jean-Jacques
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Letesson
authors.affiliation: URBM, UNamur, Belgium.
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: De Bolle
keywords: Brucella; Caulobacter; bacterial cell cycle; cellular infection; intracellular trafficking