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The divisome but not the elongasome organizes capsule synthesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Author

Listed:
  • Rei Nakamoto

    (National University of Singapore)

  • Sarp Bamyaci

    (Karolinska Institutet)

  • Karin Blomqvist

    (Karolinska Institutet
    Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital Solna)

  • Staffan Normark

    (Karolinska Institutet)

  • Birgitta Henriques-Normark

    (Karolinska Institutet
    Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital Solna)

  • Lok-To Sham

    (National University of Singapore)

Abstract

The bacterial cell envelope consists of multiple layers, including the peptidoglycan cell wall, one or two membranes, and often an external layer composed of capsular polysaccharides (CPS) or other components. How the synthesis of all these layers is precisely coordinated remains unclear. Here, we identify a mechanism that coordinates the synthesis of CPS and peptidoglycan in Streptococcus pneumoniae. We show that CPS synthesis initiates from the division septum and propagates along the long axis of the cell, organized by the tyrosine kinase system CpsCD. CpsC and the rest of the CPS synthesis complex are recruited to the septum by proteins associated with the divisome (a complex involved in septal peptidoglycan synthesis) but not the elongasome (involved in peripheral peptidoglycan synthesis). Assembly of the CPS complex starts with CpsCD, then CpsA and CpsH, the glycosyltransferases, and finally CpsJ. Remarkably, targeting CpsC to the cell pole is sufficient to reposition CPS synthesis, leading to diplococci that lack CPS at the septum. We propose that septal CPS synthesis is important for chain formation and complement evasion, thereby promoting bacterial survival inside the host.

Suggested Citation

  • Rei Nakamoto & Sarp Bamyaci & Karin Blomqvist & Staffan Normark & Birgitta Henriques-Normark & Lok-To Sham, 2023. "The divisome but not the elongasome organizes capsule synthesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-13, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:14:y:2023:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-023-38904-9
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38904-9
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gideon Mamou & Federico Corona & Ruth Cohen-Khait & Nicholas G. Housden & Vivian Yeung & Dawei Sun & Pooja Sridhar & Manuel Pazos & Timothy J. Knowles & Colin Kleanthous & Waldemar Vollmer, 2022. "Peptidoglycan maturation controls outer membrane protein assembly," Nature, Nature, vol. 606(7916), pages 953-959, June.
    2. Marvin Rausch & Julia P. Deisinger & Hannah Ulm & Anna Müller & Wenjin Li & Patrick Hardt & Xiaogang Wang & Xue Li & Marc Sylvester & Marianne Engeser & Waldemar Vollmer & Christa E. Müller & Hans Geo, 2019. "Coordination of capsule assembly and cell wall biosynthesis in Staphylococcus aureus," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 10(1), pages 1-15, December.
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