Effects of (p)ppGpp on the progression of the cell cycle of Caulobacter crescentus.

Details

Ressource 1Download: J. Bacteriol.-2014-Gonzalez-2514-25.pdf (2083.07 [Ko])
State: Public
Version: Final published version
Serval ID
serval:BIB_80776B7B5963
Type
Article: article from journal or magazin.
Collection
Publications
Institution
Title
Effects of (p)ppGpp on the progression of the cell cycle of Caulobacter crescentus.
Journal
Journal of Bacteriology
Author(s)
Gonzalez D., Collier J.
ISSN
1098-5530 (Electronic)
ISSN-L
0021-9193
Publication state
Published
Issued date
2014
Peer-reviewed
Oui
Volume
196
Number
14
Pages
2514-2525
Language
english
Abstract
Bacteria must control the progression of their cell cycle in response to nutrient availability. This regulation can be mediated by guanosine tetra- or pentaphosphate [(p)ppGpp], which are synthesized by enzymes of the RelA/SpoT homologue (Rsh) family, particularly under starvation conditions. Here, we study the effects of (p)ppGpp on the cell cycle of Caulobacter crescentus, an oligotrophic bacterium with a dimorphic life cycle. C. crescentus divides asymmetrically, producing a motile swarmer cell that cannot replicate its chromosome and a sessile stalked cell that is replication competent. The swarmer cell rapidly differentiates into a stalked cell in appropriate conditions. An artificial increase in the levels of (p)ppGpp in nonstarved C. crescentus cells was achieved by expressing a truncated relA gene from Escherichia coli, encoding a constitutively active (p)ppGpp synthetase. By combining single-cell microscopy, flow cytometry approaches, and swarming assays, we show that an increase in the intracellular concentration of (p)ppGpp is sufficient to slow down the swarmer-to-stalked cell differentiation process and to delay the initiation of chromosome replication. We also present evidence that the intracellular levels of two master regulators of the cell cycle of C. crescentus, DnaA and CtrA, are modulated in response to (p)ppGpp accumulation, even in the absence of actual starvation. CtrA proteolysis and DnaA synthesis seem indirectly inhibited by (p)ppGpp accumulation. By extending the life span of the motile nonreproductive swarmer cell and thus promoting dispersal and foraging functions over multiplication under starvation conditions, (p)ppGpp may play a central role in the ecological adaptation of C. crescentus to nutritional stresses.
Keywords
Bacterial Proteins/genetics, Bacterial Proteins/metabolism, Caulobacter crescentus/cytology, Caulobacter crescentus/drug effects, Cell Cycle/drug effects, DNA Replication/drug effects, DNA, Bacterial, DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics, DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism, Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial/drug effects, Guanosine Pentaphosphate/pharmacology, Transcription Factors/genetics, Transcription Factors/metabolism
Pubmed
Web of science
Open Access
Yes
Create date
28/04/2014 16:21
Last modification date
20/08/2019 14:41
Usage data