Microscopy News
  • Microscopy News
    • Press Releases
    • Archive
    • Events/Workshops
    • Newsletter
  • Companies
    • Microscope and Accessiores
    • Imaging Software
    • Dealer
  • Products
    • Microscopes
      • Upright Microscopes
      • Inverted Microscopes
      • Stereo Microscopes
      • Electron Microscopes
    • Software
      • Imaging Software
    • Others
      • Imaging Cameras
      • Systems
      • Medical/Surgical Solutions
      • Accessoires
  • Download Center
    • Instructions
    • Tutorials
    • Brochures
    • Software
  • MediaKit / Sponsoring
  • Archive
  • Suche

Bacterial Roundabouts Determine Cell Shape

June 3, 2011 – Almost all bacteria owe their structure to an outer cell wall that interacts closely with the supporting MreB protein inside the cell. As scientists at the Max Planck Institute for Biochemistry and at the French INRA now show, MreB molecules assemble into larger units, but not – as previously believed – into continuous helical structures. The circular movement of these units along the inside of the bacterial envelope is mediated by cell wall synthesis, which in turn requires the support of MreB.

Bacillus subtilis cell with several patches of Mbl (MreB-like protein) fused to the green fluorescent protein. Colors represent overlay of images taken by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM, red), epifluorescence (green) and transmitted light (blue, indicates cell outline). Picture: Roland Wedlich-Söldner / Copyright: MPI of Biochemistry

This mutual interaction may be a widespread phenomenon among bacteria and opens up new avenues for therapeutic intervention. The bacterial cell wall is already a major target for antibiotics.

Even single cells have to maintain their shape: In higher organisms, the supporting structures of the cytoskeleton, which include filament networks made of the protein actin, take care of this job. The much smaller bacterial cells possess similar cytoskeletal structures, such as the actin related protein MreB. Up to now, scientists believed that this molecule forms spiral structures on the inside of the cell membrane in non-spherical bacteria, which serve as a scaffold for the assembly of the comparatively rigid cell wall.

Using innovative imaging technologies based as fluorescent microscopy, the scientists in the laboratory of Roland Wedlich-Söldner now have been able to show, that MreB proteins do not form such highly ordered structures – but yet are organized in more complex ways than they had previously assumed. “MreB molecules assemble into larger units, or patches. They move in circular paths along the inside of the cell membrane, but without following a preferred direction”, explains Julia Domínguez-Escobar, PhD student at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry.

A highly unexpected finding of the study was that the movement of MreB patches relies on a functioning cell wall. MreB structures cannot move on their own but are pulled along the bacterial envelope by the newly synthesized cell wall material. The MreB patches are located at the inside, the cell wall at the outside of the cell membrane. Thus, interaction is likely mediated by molecules that span the cell membrane. These molecular adapters link the incorporation of newly synthesized cellular material with the MreB units, which thereby follow the permanently growing cell wall structures.

Many parts of the cell wall are almost universally conserved in bacteria, making it likely that the newly discovered mechanism is widespread. Hence, the results could play an important role for the further investigation of bacterial cells, but also for medicine: “Cell wall synthesis already is a key target for antibiotics. New insights into the structure of the cell wall could open up urgently needed therapeutic alternatives”, hopes Wedlich-Söldner. [UD]

Original Publication:
Julia Domínguez-Escobar, Arnaud Chastanet, Alvaro H. Crevenna, Vincent Fromion, Roland Wedlich-Söldner* and Rut Carballido-López* (2011): Processive movement of MreB-associated cell wall biosynthetic complexes in bacteria. Science, June 3, 2011.
* Equal contribution

Contact:
Dr. Roland Wedlich-Söldner
Cellular Dynamics and Cell Patterning
Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry
Am Klopferspitz 18
82152 Martinsried
E-Mail: wedlich@biochem.mpg.de

Dr. Rut Carballido-López
UMR1319 Micalis
Bat. Biotechnology (440)
I.N.R.A., Domaine de Vilvert
78352 Jouy-en-Josas Cedex, France
E-Mail: rut.carballido-lopez@jouy.inra.fr

Anja Konschak
Public Relations
Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry
Am Klopferspitz 18
82152 Martinsried
Phone +49 89 8578-2824
E-Mail: konschak@biochem.mpg.de
www.biochem.mpg.de

more information:
www.biochem.mpg.de/wedlich – Research Group Cellular Dynamics and Cell Patterning / Roland Wedlich-Söldner

Source: idw

Share this post
  • Teile auf Facebook
  • Teile auf Twitter
  • Teile auf Google+
  • Teile per Mail
Sponsors
Related Posts
Archive

WITec refreshes its website www.witec.de

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/fd45d6c858ed43477f37690b5a62b10e.jpg 135 350 otmaro https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png otmaro2017-01-17 10:45:102017-01-17 10:45:10WITec refreshes its website www.witec.de
Archive

Olympus Introduces New Microscope Objectives for Ultra-Deep Biological Imaging

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/617bc24f81d3715820c3e91723ce1263.jpg 967 350 otmaro https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png otmaro2017-01-17 10:44:242017-01-17 10:44:24Olympus Introduces New Microscope Objectives for Ultra-Deep Biological Imaging
Archive

Andor launches KOMET 7 – The most advanced and powerful software solution for analysis, data management and presentation of comet assay samples

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/516b76019f18322d8d3a9ddc96987741.jpg 300 350 Ottermedia https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png Ottermedia2017-01-17 10:44:242017-01-17 10:44:24Andor launches KOMET 7 – The most advanced and powerful software solution for analysis, data management and presentation of comet assay samples
Archive

Advanced Thin Films Enters Medical Laser Optics Market

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/543ba9c56fe57e856dc7f252e2ebd3ba.jpg 466 350 Ottermedia https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png Ottermedia2017-01-17 10:43:462017-01-17 10:43:46Advanced Thin Films Enters Medical Laser Optics Market
Archive

Module transforms Raman microscopes into high throughput chemical analyzers

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/7423894303b540804bd4b9ded95ac7a1.jpg 228 350 otmaro https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png otmaro2017-01-17 10:43:332017-01-17 10:43:33Module transforms Raman microscopes into high throughput chemical analyzers
Archive

Motic Microscopes launches the new BA410E for biomedical applications

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/ca9ed333736eb38ce4abbffcee37be60.jpg 260 350 otmaro https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png otmaro2017-01-17 10:42:462017-01-17 10:42:46Motic Microscopes launches the new BA410E for biomedical applications
Archive

R&D 100 Award 2014 for ZEISS ELYRA P.1 with 3D-PALM

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/2ed54dfbb5613dc8894327c8185309c1.jpg 175 350 Ottermedia https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png Ottermedia2017-01-17 10:42:442017-01-17 10:42:44R&D 100 Award 2014 for ZEISS ELYRA P.1 with 3D-PALM
Archive

Motic Microscopes presents the new AE31E for microbiology

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/944a198042025732e6e8fb5a715d48c5.jpg 243 350 otmaro https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png otmaro2017-01-17 10:41:572017-01-17 10:41:57Motic Microscopes presents the new AE31E for microbiology
Archive

CRAIC Technologies Website: A Resource for UV-Visible-NIR and Raman Microspectroscopy

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/3725b94ba62d8e2205f5f20b3cdee1ee.jpg 463 350 Ottermedia https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png Ottermedia2017-01-17 10:41:372017-01-17 10:41:37CRAIC Technologies Website: A Resource for UV-Visible-NIR and Raman Microspectroscopy
Archive

Imaging companies in Europe shoulder-to-shoulder with life scientists

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/1affabb625a5c37519bafa89fedc162e.jpg 86 350 otmaro https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png otmaro2017-01-17 10:41:102017-01-17 10:41:10Imaging companies in Europe shoulder-to-shoulder with life scientists
Archive

Semrock Releases 20th Edition Master Catalog

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/61e12630a94a26e3e618905ce9de549a.jpg 234 350 Ottermedia https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png Ottermedia2017-01-17 10:40:582017-01-17 10:40:58Semrock Releases 20th Edition Master Catalog
Archive

World’s Smallest Commercially Available Ball Screw!

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/59d9386a4a7887c0e4775572b7f7511c.jpg 262 350 otmaro https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png otmaro2017-01-17 10:39:522017-01-17 10:39:52World’s Smallest Commercially Available Ball Screw!
Archive

NIST Announces New Competition for Advanced Manufacturing Planning Awards‏

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/3486cdac57a29cec43d7506599bba9f1.jpg 188 350 Ottermedia https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png Ottermedia2017-01-17 10:39:482017-01-17 10:39:48NIST Announces New Competition for Advanced Manufacturing Planning Awards‏
Archive

XIMEA unveils Thunderbolt™ 2 high speed cameras with IMX174 and CMV20000

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/341633931c01418c4fa8e0a90a8236d4.jpg 139 350 otmaro https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png otmaro2017-01-17 10:39:052017-01-17 10:39:05XIMEA unveils Thunderbolt™ 2 high speed cameras with IMX174 and CMV20000
Archive

New Blackfly® USB3 Vision™ CCD Camera Family Provides Easy Interface Transition

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/082c31c09a15eff9e43b5c2fcf5f38cd.jpg 287 350 Ottermedia https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png Ottermedia2017-01-17 10:39:032017-01-17 10:39:03New Blackfly® USB3 Vision™ CCD Camera Family Provides Easy Interface Transition
Archive

Digital Surf and Image Metrology join forces

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/3058648b93257cab2f2ca0eaad966c4b.jpg 174 350 Ottermedia https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png Ottermedia2017-01-17 10:38:262017-01-17 10:38:26Digital Surf and Image Metrology join forces
Archive

Bessel Beam Plane Illumination Microscopy Enables Fast 3D Volume Imaging

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/70d120c9518cf134343f93d7a2adf4d3.jpg 181 350 otmaro https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png otmaro2017-01-17 10:38:142017-01-17 10:38:14Bessel Beam Plane Illumination Microscopy Enables Fast 3D Volume Imaging
Archive

Dolomite´s new microfluidic system showcases droplet merging at nanoliter sample scale

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/22b06d4094468fc910406cd44d96ec1f.jpg 181 350 Ottermedia https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png Ottermedia2017-01-17 10:37:192017-01-17 10:37:19Dolomite´s new microfluidic system showcases droplet merging at nanoliter sample scale
Archive

Point Grey´s Latest Blackfly® GigE PoE Camera Features Popular High Sensitivity VGA CCD

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/a5d0c77f7619812a129b2a4e6a9cb90b.jpg 234 350 otmaro https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png otmaro2017-01-17 10:36:522017-01-17 10:36:52Point Grey´s Latest Blackfly® GigE PoE Camera Features Popular High Sensitivity VGA CCD
Archive

Point Grey Launches New Grasshopper®3 Family of High Resolution GigE Vision™ PoE Cameras

https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/a77db128b10a613c26b9e4dbea5dae02.jpg 220 350 Ottermedia https://microscopy-news.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Microscopy-news_logo_microscope_news.png Ottermedia2017-01-17 10:36:392017-01-17 10:36:39Point Grey Launches New Grasshopper®3 Family of High Resolution GigE Vision™ PoE Cameras
ZurückWeiter

Sponsors

Follow us

Products

  • Upright Microscopes
  • Inverted Microscopes
  • Stereo Microscopes
  • Electron Microscopes
  • Imaging Cameras
  • Imaging Software
  • Systems
  • Medical/Surgical Solutions
  • Accessoires

Navigation

  • Microscopy News
  • MediaKit / Sponsoring
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Imprint

Contact

Microscopy News Portal
Am Ginster 6
21409 Oerzen, Germany

Email:
info@microscopy-news.com

Search

© Copyright - Microscopy-News.com 2017 | Germany
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Mail
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Imprint
Nanosurf on the move! MarketsandMarkets: World Microscopy Market expected to be US$ 4.5 billion by...
We use cookies to improve your experience with our site.OKLearn more
Nach oben scrollen