How to Build a Bacterial Cell: MreB as the Foreman of E. coli Construction

Abstract

Cell shape matters across the kingdoms of life, and cells have the remarkable capacity to define and maintain specific shapes and sizes. But how are the shapes of micron-sized cells determined from the coordinated activities of nanometer-sized proteins? Here, we review general principles that have surfaced through the study of rod-shaped bacterial growth. Imaging approaches have revealed that polymers of the actin homolog MreB play a central role. MreB both senses and changes cell shape, thereby generating a self-organizing feedback system for shape maintenance. At the molecular level, structural and computational studies indicate that MreB filaments exhibit tunable mechanical properties that explain their preference for certain geometries and orientations along the cylindrical cell body. We illustrate the regulatory landscape of rod-shape formation and the connectivity between cell shape, cell growth, and other aspects of cell physiology. These discoveries provide a framework for future investigations into the architecture and construction of microbes.

Omnipresent Maxwell's demons orchestrate information management in living cells

“…Within the frame of the present work, pointing out that information maintenance will require MxD-like nanomachines, we may investigate whether such functional entities could indeed be identified in the formation of the cell's poles for example. Among many possibilities, oscillating factors such as MreB actin-like protein define the poles in association with a variety of other factors (Colavin et al, 2018;Fu et al, 2018;Shi et al, 2018). The details of shape formation would require specific factors acting as MxDs.…”

Microfluidic trapping of vesicles reveals membrane-tension dependent FtsZ cytoskeletal re-organisation

“…MreB, or cellular signalling, could be elucidated. 40 With the increasing capacity to create artificial, minimal cells, e.g. by encapsulation of cell-free expression systems, 41 a device such as the one presented herein could be used for studying the effect of compartment geometry on more and more complex molecular networks.…”

Cytoskeletal and Actin‐Based Polymerization Motors and Their Role in Minimal Cell Design

“…[18,26] The major challenge lies in identification and distinguishing its primary role from secondary consequences, thus understanding the mechanism by which MreB impacts these biological processes. [29][30][31] The role of MreB in bacterial architecture has been reviewed elsewhere. However, the last decade has highlighted the pivotal role of the MreB family in determining and maintaining rod shape in bacteria.…”

“…[25,27,28] Clearly, it is unlikely that MreB performs all of these cellular processes on its own and indeed, a growing number of MreB interactors have been identified to date. [31] [29][30][31] The role of MreB in bacterial architecture has been reviewed elsewhere.…”

“…However, the last decade has highlighted the pivotal role of the MreB family in determining and maintaining rod shape in bacteria. [29][30][31] The role of MreB in bacterial architecture has been reviewed elsewhere. [31]…”