Molecular interactions and their predictive roles in cell pole determination in bacteria

Abstract

Bacterial cell cycle is divided into well-coordinated phases; chromosome duplication and segregation, cell elongation, septum formation, and cytokinesis. The temporal separation of these phases depends upon the growth rates and doubling time in different bacteria. The entire process of cell division starts with the assembly of divisome complex at mid-cell position followed by constriction of the cell wall and septum formation. In the mapping of mid-cell position for septum formation, the gradient of oscillating Min proteins across the poles plays a pivotal role in several bacteria genus. The cues in the cell that defines the poles and plane of cell division are not fully characterized in cocci. Recent studies have shed some lights on molecular interactions at the poles and the underlying mechanisms involved in pole determination in non-cocci. In this review, we have brought forth recent findings on these aspects together, which would suggest a model to explain the mechanisms of pole determination in rod shaped bacteria and could be extrapolated as a working model in cocci.

Keywords:

• Cell polarity
• cocci
• macromolecular interactions
• plane of cell division
• polar proteins

Acknowledgements

Authors are grateful to Dr Ganesh K Maurya for his technical comments. RC is grateful to Department of Atomic Energy, Government of India, for research fellowship.

Disclosure statement

Authors do not have to disclose any conflict of interests.