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SMC is recruited to oriC by ParB and promotes chromosome segregation in Streptococcus pneumoniae
Author(s) -
Minnen Anita,
Attaiech Laetitia,
Thon Maria,
Gruber Stephan,
Veening JanWillem
Publication year - 2011
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 - 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2011.07722.x
Subject(s) - biology , dna gyrase , chromosome segregation , condensin , streptococcus pneumoniae , chromosome , bacillus subtilis , dna , circular bacterial chromosome , genetics , bacteria , dna replication , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , escherichia coli
Summary Segregation of replicated chromosomes is an essential process in all organisms. How bacteria, such as the oval‐shaped human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae , efficiently segregate their chromosomes is poorly understood. Here we show that the pneumococcal homologue of the DNA‐binding protein ParB recruits S. pneumoniae condensin (SMC) to centromere‐like DNA sequences ( parS ) that are located near the origin of replication, in a similar fashion as was shown for the rod‐shaped model bacterium Bacillus subtilis . In contrast to B. subtilis , smc is not essential in S. pneumoniae , and Δ smc cells do not show an increased sensitivity to gyrase inhibitors or high temperatures. However, deletion of smc and/or parB results in a mild chromosome segregation defect. Our results show that S. pneumoniae contains a functional chromosome segregation machine that promotes efficient chromosome segregation by recruitment of SMC via ParB. Intriguingly, the data indicate that other, as of yet unknown mechanisms, are at play to ensure proper chromosome segregation in this organism.