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ParA ATPases can move and position DNA and subcellular structures

Lookup NU author(s): Florian Szardenings, Dr David Guymer, Professor Kenn Gerdes

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Abstract

Prokaryotic chromosomes and plasmids can be actively segregated by partitioning (par) loci. The common ParA-encoding par loci segregate plasmids by arranging them in regular arrays over the nucleoid by an unknown mechanism. Recent observations indicate that ParA moves plasmids and chromosomes by a pulling mechanism. Even though Par As form filaments in vitro it is not known whether similar structures are present in vivo. ParA of P1 forms filaments in vitro at very high concentrations only and filament-like structures have not been observed in vivo. Consequently, a 'diffusion-ratchet' mechanism was suggested to explain plasmid movement by ParA of P1. We compare this mechanism with our previously proposed filament model for plasmid movement by ParA. Remarkably, ParA homologues have been discovered to arrange subcellular structures such as carboxysomes and chemotaxis sensory receptors in a regular manner very similar to those of the plasmid arrays.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Szardenings F, Guymer D, Gerdes K

Publication type: Review

Publication status: Published

Journal: Current Opinion in Microbiology

Year: 2011

Volume: 14

Issue: 6

Pages: 712-718

Print publication date: 01/12/2011

ISSN (print): 1369-5274

ISSN (electronic): 1879-0364

Publisher: CURRENT BIOLOGY LTD

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mib.2011.09.008

DOI: 10.1016/j.mib.2011.09.008

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