The chromosome partitioning protein, ParB, is required for cytokinesis in Caulobacter crescentus

Mohl, DA Easter, J Gober, JW

Da. Mohl et al., The chromosome partitioning protein, ParB, is required for cytokinesis in Caulobacter crescentus, MOL MICROB, 42(3), 2001, pp. 741-755

52

INGLESE

Article

Microbiology

MOLECULAR MICROBIOLOGY

0950-382X → ACNP

42

3

2001

741 - 755

ISI

0950-382X(200111)42:3<741:TCPPPI>2.0.ZU;2-K

In Caulobacter crescentus, the genes encoding the chromosome partitioning p roteins, ParA and ParB, are essential. Depletion of ParB resulted in smooth filamentous cells in which DNA replication continued. Immunofluorescence m icroscopy revealed that the formation of FtsZ rings at the mid-cell, the ea rliest molecular event in the initiation of bacterial cell division, was bl ocked in cells lacking ParB. ParB binds sequences near the C. crescentus or igin of replication. Cell cycle experiments show that the formation of bipo larly localized ParB foci, and presumably localization of the origin of rep lication to the cell poles, preceded the formation of FtsZ rings at the mid -cell by 20 min. These results suggest that one major function of ParA and ParB may be to regulate the initiation of cytokinesis in C. crescentus.