Role of cell-specific SpoIIIE assembly in polarity of DNA transfer

Science. 2002 Jan 4;295(5552):137-9. doi: 10.1126/science.1066274.

Abstract

SpoIIIE mediates postseptational chromosome partitioning in Bacillus subtilis, but the mechanism controlling the direction of DNA transfer remains obscure. Here, we demonstrated that SpoIIIE acts as a DNA exporter: When SpoIIIE was synthesized in the larger of the two cells necessary for sporulation, the mother cell, DNA was translocated into the smaller forespore; however, when it was synthesized in the forespore, DNA was translocated into the mother cell. Furthermore, the DNA-tracking domain of SpoIIIE inhibited SpoIIIE complex assembly in the forespore. Thus, during sporulation, chromosome partitioning is controlled by the preferential assembly of SpoIIIE in one daughter cell.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacillus subtilis / genetics
  • Bacillus subtilis / metabolism
  • Bacillus subtilis / physiology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Chromosomes, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • DNA, Bacterial / metabolism*
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins / metabolism
  • Sigma Factor*
  • Spores, Bacterial / genetics
  • Spores, Bacterial / metabolism
  • Spores, Bacterial / physiology*
  • Transcription Factors*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Luminescent Proteins
  • Recombinant Fusion Proteins
  • Sigma Factor
  • Transcription Factors
  • spoIIR protein, Bacillus subtilis
  • spore-specific proteins, Bacillus
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins