Open AccessSetting the Stage: Genes Controlling Mechanosensation and Ca 2+ Signaling in Escherichia coli
Author(s) -
R. Gary Sawers
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of bacteriology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.652
H-Index - 246
eISSN - 1067-8832
pISSN - 0021-9193
DOI - 10.1128/jb.00595-20
Subject(s) - mechanosensation , escherichia coli , biology , escherichia coli proteins , gene , bacteria , enterobacteriaceae , calcium signaling , gene knockout , signal transduction , genetics , microbiology and biotechnology , ion channel , receptor
Although mechanistic understanding of calcium signaling in bacteria remains inchoate, current evidence clearly links Ca 2+ signaling with membrane potential and mechanosensation. Adopting a radically new approach, Luder et al. scanned the Keio collection of Escherichia coli gene knockouts (R. Luder, G. N. Bruni, and J. M. Kralj, J Bacteriol 203:e00509-20, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1128/JB.00509-20) to identify mutations that cause changes in Ca 2+ transients. They identify genes associating Ca 2+ signaling with outer membrane biogenesis, proton motive force, and, surprisingly, long-term DNA damage. Their work has major implications for electrophysiological communication between bacteria and their environment.