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Single-molecule imaging reveals modulation of cell wall synthesis dynamics in live bacterial cells

Author

Listed:
  • Timothy K. Lee

    (Stanford University
    Program in Biomedical Informatics, Stanford University)

  • Kevin Meng

    (Stanford University School of Medicine)

  • Handuo Shi

    (Stanford University)

  • Kerwyn Casey Huang

    (Stanford University
    Stanford University School of Medicine)

Abstract

The peptidoglycan cell wall is an integral organelle critical for bacterial cell shape and stability. Proper cell wall construction requires the interaction of synthesis enzymes and the cytoskeleton, but it is unclear how the activities of individual proteins are coordinated to preserve the morphology and integrity of the cell wall during growth. To elucidate this coordination, we used single-molecule imaging to follow the behaviours of the two major peptidoglycan synthases in live, elongating Escherichia coli cells and after perturbation. We observed heterogeneous localization dynamics of penicillin-binding protein (PBP) 1A, the synthase predominantly associated with cell wall elongation, with individual PBP1A molecules distributed between mobile and immobile populations. Perturbations to PBP1A activity, either directly through antibiotics or indirectly through PBP1A’s interaction with its lipoprotein activator or other synthases, shifted the fraction of mobile molecules. Our results suggest that multiple levels of regulation control the activity of enzymes to coordinate peptidoglycan synthesis.

Suggested Citation

  • Timothy K. Lee & Kevin Meng & Handuo Shi & Kerwyn Casey Huang, 2016. "Single-molecule imaging reveals modulation of cell wall synthesis dynamics in live bacterial cells," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-9, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:7:y:2016:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms13170
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms13170
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    Cited by:

    1. Huan Zhang & Srutha Venkatesan & Emily Ng & Beiyan Nan, 2023. "Coordinated peptidoglycan synthases and hydrolases stabilize the bacterial cell wall," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 14(1), pages 1-9, December.

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