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Direct observation of a crescent-shape chromosome in expanded Bacillus subtilis cells

Author

Listed:
  • Miloš Tišma

    (Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology)

  • Florian Patrick Bock

    (Faculty of Biology and Medicine (FBM), University of Lausanne (UNIL))

  • Jacob Kerssemakers

    (Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology)

  • Hammam Antar

    (Faculty of Biology and Medicine (FBM), University of Lausanne (UNIL))

  • Aleksandre Japaridze

    (Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology)

  • Stephan Gruber

    (Faculty of Biology and Medicine (FBM), University of Lausanne (UNIL))

  • Cees Dekker

    (Kavli Institute of Nanoscience Delft, Delft University of Technology)

Abstract

Bacterial chromosomes are folded into tightly regulated three-dimensional structures to ensure proper transcription, replication, and segregation of the genetic information. Direct visualization of chromosomal shape within bacterial cells is hampered by cell-wall confinement and the optical diffraction limit. Here, we combine cell-shape manipulation strategies, high-resolution fluorescence microscopy techniques, and genetic engineering to visualize the shape of unconfined bacterial chromosome in real-time in live Bacillus subtilis cells that are expanded in volume. We show that the chromosomes predominantly exhibit crescent shapes with a non-uniform DNA density that is increased near the origin of replication (oriC). Additionally, we localized ParB and BsSMC proteins – the key drivers of chromosomal organization – along the contour of the crescent chromosome, showing the highest density near oriC. Opening of the BsSMC ring complex disrupted the crescent chromosome shape and instead yielded a torus shape. These findings help to understand the threedimensional organization of the chromosome and the main protein complexes that underlie its structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Miloš Tišma & Florian Patrick Bock & Jacob Kerssemakers & Hammam Antar & Aleksandre Japaridze & Stephan Gruber & Cees Dekker, 2024. "Direct observation of a crescent-shape chromosome in expanded Bacillus subtilis cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-47094-x
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-47094-x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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