The nucleoid of rapidly growing Escherichia coli localizes close to the inner membrane and is organized by transcription, translation, and cell geometry.

ABSTRACT: Bacterial chromosomes are spatiotemporally organized and sensitive to environmental changes. However, the mechanisms underlying chromosome configuration and reorganization are not fully understood. Here, we use single-molecule localization microscopy and live-cell imaging to show that the Escherichia coli nucleoid adopts a condensed, membrane-proximal configuration during rapid growth. Drug treatment induces a rapid collapse of the nucleoid from an apparently membrane-bound state within 10 min of halting transcription and translation. This hints toward an active role of transertion (coupled transcription, translation, and membrane insertion) in nucleoid organization, while cell wall synthesis inhibitors only affect nucleoid organization during morphological changes. Further, we provide evi

SUBMITTER: Spahn C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12009437 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature