Work

Cell Type-Specific Phosphorylation and Proteolysis of a Transcriptional Regulator Controls the G1-to-S Transition in a Bacterial Cell Cycle

Year: 1997

Type: article

Abstract: The global transcriptional regulator CtrA controls multiple events in the Caulobacter cell cycle, including the initiation of DNA replication, DNA methylation, cell division, and flagellar biogenesis. CtrA is a member of the response regulator family of two component signal transduction systems and is activated by phosphorylation. We report here that this phosphorylation signal enters the cell cycle at mid S phase. In addition, CtrA function is modulated by temporally and spatially controlled proteolysis. When an active CtrA protein is present at the wrong time in the cell cycle, owing to expression of a mutant CtrA derivative that is active in the absence of phosphorylation and is not turned over during the cell cycle, the G1-to-S transition is blocked and the cell cycle aborts. Thus, both phosphorylation and proteolysis are critical determinants of bacterial cell cycle control in a manner that is analogous to the control of the eukaryotic cell cycle.

Source: Cell

DOI: 10.1016/s0092-8674(00)80502-4

Authors: Ibrahim J Domian, Kim C Quon, Lucy Shapiro

Institutions: Stanford Medicine, Stanford University

Language: English

Topic: Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $11,400

Funder: National Institute of General Medical Sciences