BACTOSHAPE · Single cell biophysics of bacterial cell shape
Horizon 2020 — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
- Duration
- 2015-04-01 → 2017-03-31
- EU contribution
- €185,076
- Participants
- 1
- Scheme
- MSCA-IF-EF-RI
Lines connect the coordinator with its partners.
Results in brief
Single cell biophysics of bacterial cell shape
Little is known about the mechanisms determining cell shape, and the main question concerning morphogenesis is the same in prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems. How cell shape is determined and maintain? In bacteria, the tough external cell wall (CW), a 3D polymer network that is one of the most prominent targets for antibiotics, is traditionally known to be a primary determinant of cell shape. However, the complex CW ultrastructure and the molecular mechanisms that control CW morphogenesis remain unknown. The discovery about a decade ago of a bacterial actin-like cytoskeleton changed our understanding of bacterial cell morphogenesis. Since then, MreB homologues have been shown to serve as organizers for the movement and assembly of molecular complexes involved in CW biogenesis in bacteria with complex shapes (non-spherical). Thus MreB homologues play a critical role in cell shape determination and maintenance. However, the mechanistic details used by the MreB cytoskeleton to fulfill this role remain to be elucidated. The main objectives of this project are to understand the role of cell wall organization and of the actin like proteins in cell shape determination and maintenance and to describe the mechanical aspect of cell shape maintenance.
Data: CORDIS, © European Union
Project objective
In bacteria, the rigid external cell wall (CW) and the intracellular actin-like (MreB) cytoskeleton are major determinants of cell shape. Synthesis and chemical composition of the CW, a three dimensional polymer network that is one of the most prominent targets for antibiotics, are well understood. However, despite decades of study, little is known about the complex CW ultrastructure and the molecular mechanisms that control cell shape in time and space. MreB homologues assemble into dynamic membrane-associated structures thought to control shape by serving as organizers for the movement and assembly of macromolecular machineries responsible for CW biogenesis. However, the mechanistic details used by the MreB cytoskeleton to fulfill this role remain to be elucidated. We will combine powerful genetic tools available in the model Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis with modern high-resolution fluorescence microscopy techniques and atomic force microscopy (AFM) to study the role of the MreB cytoskeleton and CW synthesis proteins in cell shape determination and maintenance. Additionally, the role of mechanical forces in the control of CW organization will be evaluated.
Original text from CORDIS.
Participants
- INSTITUT NATIONAL DE RECHERCHE POUR L'AGRICULTURE, L'ALIMENTATION ET L'ENVIRONNEMENT · ParisCoordinatorFrance
Links
Data: CORDIS, © European Union