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A new factor controlling cell envelope integrity in Alphaproteobacteria in the context of cell cycle, stress response and infection
Author(s) -
Beroual Wanassa,
Biondi Emanuele G.
Publication year - 2019
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.14201
Subject(s) - biology , alphaproteobacteria , biogenesis , cell envelope , context (archaeology) , microbiology and biotechnology , brucella , lipopolysaccharide , cell division , cell , genetics , gene , escherichia coli , immunology , brucellosis , paleontology , 16s ribosomal rna
Summary The bacterial envelope is a remarkable and complex compartment of the prokaryotic cell in which many essential functions take place. The article by Herrou and collaborators (Herrou et al ., in press), by a clever combination of structural analysis, genetics and functional characterization in free‐living bacterial cells and during infection in animal models, elucidates a new factor, named EipA, that plays a major role in Brucella spp envelope biogenesis and cell division. The authors demonstrate a genetic connection between eipA and lipopolysaccharide synthesis, specifically genes involved in the synthesis of the O‐antigen portion of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Beyond its crucial role in Brucella physiology, the conservation of EipA in the class Alphaproteobacteria urges microbiologists to pursue future investigation of its homologs in other species belonging to this important group of bacteria.