A Symmetric Molecule Produced by Mycobacteria Generates Cell-Length Asymmetry during Cell-Division and Thereby Cell-Length Heterogeneity

ACS Chemical Biology
Nagaraja MukkayyanParthasarathi Ajitkumar

Abstract

Diadenosine polyphosphates, Ap(2-7)A, which contain two adenosines in a 5',5' linkage through phosphodiester bonds involving 2-7 phosphates, regulate diverse cellular functions in all organisms, from bacteria to humans, under normal and stress conditions. We had earlier reported consistent occurrence of asymmetric constriction during division (ACD) in 20-30% of dividing mycobacterial cells in culture, irrespective of different growth media, implying exogenous action of some factor of mycobacterial origin. Consistent with this premise, concentrated culture supernatant (CCS), but not the equivalent volume-wise concentrated unused medium, dramatically enhanced the ACD proportion to 70-90%. Mass spectrometry and biochemical analyses of the bioactive fraction from CCS revealed the ACD-effecting factor to be Ap6A. Synthetic Ap6A showed a mass spectrometry profile, biochemical characteristics, and bioactivity identical to native Ap6A in the CCS. Thus, the present work reveals a novel role for Ap6A in generating cell-length asymmetry during mycobacterial cell-division and thereby cell-length heterogeneity in the population.

References

Jul 1, 1989·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·S B FarrB N Ames
Jun 1, 1997·Genes to Cells : Devoted to Molecular & Cellular Mechanisms·A NishimuraY Yamada
Aug 19, 1999·FEBS Letters·A VartanianL Kisselev
Jul 28, 2004·Trends in Microbiology·Régis HallezXavier De Bolle
Apr 25, 2006·Cell·Bonnie L Bassler, Richard Losick
May 12, 2006·Pflügers Archiv : European journal of physiology·Esmerilda G DelicadoJavier Gualix
Apr 1, 2009·Microbiology·Aleksey M AnuchinArseny S Kaprelyants
Aug 30, 2011·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America·Dann Huh, Johan Paulsson
Sep 13, 2012·PloS One·Graham JoyceBrian D Robertson
Feb 8, 2013·Molecular Microbiology·Bhupender SinghSantanu Dasgupta
Sep 17, 2013·Nature Communications·Isabella SantiJohn D McKinney
Dec 18, 2013·MicrobiologyOpen·Amanda P UcciHenrique Ferreira
Feb 1, 2014·Archives of Microbiology·Srinivasan VijayParthasarathi Ajitkumar
Jun 21, 2014·The Open Microbiology Journal·Srinivasan VijayParthasarathi Ajitkumar
Jul 7, 2015·Nature Reviews. Microbiology·Martin Ackermann
Nov 17, 2017·Nature·Marvin WhiteleyE Peter Greenberg

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.