Bacterial flagellation and cell division

Abstract

The peritrichous flagella of Salmonella are synthesized and function through many cell generations. There are two different aspects in the relationship between flagellar biogenesis and cell division. Filament growth is independent from the cell cycle and the length of filaments appear to be locally controlled at each flagellar base, whereas the number of filaments (or flagellar basal bodies) is dependent on cell cycle. We present a model to explain how the number of filaments is maintained through generations. We will also introduce a new direction for research that might directly connect flagellation and cell division; the global communication between flagellar genes and external factors of a complex regulatory network in a cell.

FlhF, a signal recognition particle-like GTPase, is involved in the regulation of flagellar arrangement, motility behaviour and protein secretion in Bacillus cereus

“…In several flagellate bacteria, the degree of cell flagellation has been widely reported to be linked to cell division events, although flagellum biogenesis may be influenced by environmental factors (for a review see Aizawa & Kubori, 1998). Thus we addressed the question of whether a lack of flhF caused metabolic or growth defects leading, directly or indirectly, to an impairment in flagella assembly.…”

Polar Flagellar Motility of the Vibrionaceae

“…on May 11, 2018 by guest http://mmbr.asm.org/ tional classes within classes, translational modulation coupled to basal-body assembly, and linkage between cell division and flagellar production (1,81,105,151). The regulatory hierarchy established for E. coli and S. enterica serovar Typhimurium serves as the paradigm for peritrichous flagellar systems of many other bacteria.…”

Regulation of bacterial motility in response to low pH in Escherichia coli: the role of H-NS protein

“…Bacterial flagellum biosynthesis is under the control of the flhDC master operon, which governs motility and chemotaxis, as well as differentiation into swarming cells in enterobacteria. Moreover, this operon ensures global communication between flagellar genes and external factors, as well as cell division (Aizawa & Kubori, 1998). The complex motility and chemotaxis system in Escherichia coli includes nearly 50 genes organized in an ordered cascade in which the expression of a gene located at a given level requires the transcription of another one at a higher level (Macnab, 1996).…”