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The Caulobacter crescentus polar organelle development protein PodJ is differentially localized and is required for polar targeting of the PleC development regulator
Author(s) -
Hinz Aaron J.,
Larson David E.,
Smith Christopher S.,
Brun Yves V.
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2958.2003.03349.x
Subject(s) - caulobacter crescentus , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , regulator , cell division , organelle , cell polarity , asymmetric cell division , cell cycle , protein subcellular localization prediction , response regulator , cellular differentiation , cell , genetics , gene , mutant
Summary Regulation of polar development and cell division in Caulobacter crescentus relies on the dynamic localization of several proteins to cell poles at specific stages of the cell cycle. The p olar o rganelle d evelopment protein, PodJ, is required for the synthesis of the adhesive holdfast and pili. Here we show the cell cycle localization of PodJ and describe a novel role for this protein in controlling the dynamic localization of the developmental regulator PleC. In swarmer cells, a short form of PodJ is localized at the flagellated pole. Upon differentiation of the swarmer cell into a stalked cell, full length PodJ is synthesized and localizes to the pole opposite the stalk. In late predivisional cells, full length PodJ is processed into a short form which remains localized at the flagellar pole after cell division and is degraded during swarmer to stalked cell differentiation. Polar localization of the developmental regulator PleC requires the presence of PodJ. In contrast, the polar localization of PodJ is not dependent on the presence of PleC. These results indicate that PodJ is an important determinant for the localization of a major regulator of cell differentiation. Thus, PodJ acts directly or indirectly to target PleC to the incipient swarmer pole, to establish the cellular asymmetry that leads to the synthesis of holdfasts and pili at their proper subcellular location.