The cell-shape protein MreC interacts with extracytoplasmic proteins including cell wall assembly complexes in Caulobacter crescentus.

ABSTRACT: The bacterial actin homolog, MreB, forms helical cables within the cell that are required for maintenance of a rod shape. These helical structures are thought to be involved in the spatial organization of cell wall (peptidoglycan) synthesizing complexes of penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs). Here, we examined the role of the MreC cell shape protein in this process in Caulobacter crescentus. Subcellular fractionation experiments showed that MreC is a periplasmic protein and, as assayed by immunofluorescence microscopy, adopted helical or banded patterns along the cell length reminiscent of those formed by MreB and PBP2. The pattern of MreC and PBP2 localization remained when MreB cables were disrupted by treatment with the inhibitor A22. However, long-term absence of MreB led to cell shape

SUBMITTER: Divakaruni AV 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1317943 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature