Direct observation of a crescent-shape chromosome in expanded Bacillus subtilis cells.

Details

Serval ID
serval:BIB_4DFF04DA4876
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Direct observation of a crescent-shape chromosome in expanded Bacillus subtilis cells.
Journal
Nature communications
Author(s)
Tišma M., Bock F.P., Kerssemakers J., Antar H., Japaridze A., Gruber S., Dekker C.
ISSN
2041-1723 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
2041-1723
Publication state
Published
Issued date
28/03/2024
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
15
Number
1
Pages
2737
Language
english
Notes
Publication types: Journal Article
Publication Status: epublish
Abstract
Bacterial chromosomes are folded into tightly regulated three-dimensional structures to ensure proper transcription, replication, and segregation of the genetic information. Direct visualization of chromosomal shape within bacterial cells is hampered by cell-wall confinement and the optical diffraction limit. Here, we combine cell-shape manipulation strategies, high-resolution fluorescence microscopy techniques, and genetic engineering to visualize the shape of unconfined bacterial chromosome in real-time in live Bacillus subtilis cells that are expanded in volume. We show that the chromosomes predominantly exhibit crescent shapes with a non-uniform DNA density that is increased near the origin of replication (oriC). Additionally, we localized ParB and BsSMC proteins - the key drivers of chromosomal organization - along the contour of the crescent chromosome, showing the highest density near oriC. Opening of the BsSMC ring complex disrupted the crescent chromosome shape and instead yielded a torus shape. These findings help to understand the threedimensional organization of the chromosome and the main protein complexes that underlie its structure.
Keywords
Bacillus subtilis/genetics, Bacillus subtilis/metabolism, Chromosome Segregation/genetics, Bacterial Proteins/genetics, Bacterial Proteins/metabolism, Origin Recognition Complex/metabolism, DNA Replication/genetics, Chromosomes, Bacterial/genetics, Chromosomes, Bacterial/metabolism, DNA, Bacterial/metabolism, Replication Origin
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
02/04/2024 9:59
Last modification date
20/04/2024 6:56
Usage data