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Direct observation of a crescent-shape chromosome in expanded Bacillus subtilis cells.
- Source :
-
Nature communications [Nat Commun] 2024 Mar 28; Vol. 15 (1), pp. 2737. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Mar 28. - Publication Year :
- 2024
-
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.<br /> (© 2024. The Author(s).)
- Subjects :
- Bacterial Proteins genetics
Bacterial Proteins metabolism
Origin Recognition Complex metabolism
DNA Replication genetics
Chromosomes, Bacterial genetics
Chromosomes, Bacterial metabolism
DNA, Bacterial metabolism
Replication Origin
Bacillus subtilis genetics
Bacillus subtilis metabolism
Chromosome Segregation genetics
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 2041-1723
- Volume :
- 15
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Nature communications
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 38548820
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-47094-x