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A C aulobacter MreB mutant with irregular cell shape exhibits compensatory widening to maintain a preferred surface area to volume ratio
Author(s) -
Harris Leigh K.,
Dye Natalie A.,
Theriot Julie A.
Publication year - 2014
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/mmi.12811
Subject(s) - mreb , mutant , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , wild type , cell , phenotype , actin , surface area to volume ratio , volume (thermodynamics) , biophysics , cytoskeleton , genetics , physics , gene , paleontology , quantum mechanics
Summary Rod‐shaped bacteria typically elongate at a uniform width. To investigate the genetic and physiological determinants involved in this process, we studied a mutation in the morphogenetic protein MreB in C aulobacter crescentus that gives rise to cells with a variable‐width phenotype, where cells have regions that are both thinner and wider than wild‐type. During growth, individual cells develop a balance of wide and thin regions, and mutant MreB dynamically localizes to poles and thin regions. Surprisingly, the surface area to volume ratio of these irregularly shaped cells is, on average, very similar to wild‐type. We propose that, while mutant MreB localizes to thin regions and promotes rod‐like growth there, wide regions develop as a compensatory mechanism, allowing cells to maintain a wild‐type‐like surface area to volume ratio. To support this model, we have shown that cell widening is abrogated in growth conditions that promote higher surface area to volume ratios, and we have observed individual cells with high ratios return to wild‐type levels over several hours by developing wide regions, suggesting that compensation can take place at the level of individual cells.