Intermediate filament-like proteins in bacteria and a cytoskeletal function in Streptomyces.

ABSTRACT: Actin and tubulin cytoskeletons are conserved and widespread in bacteria. A strikingly intermediate filament (IF)-like cytoskeleton, composed of crescentin, is also present in Caulobacter crescentus and determines its specific cell shape. However, the broader significance of this finding remained obscure, because crescentin appeared to be unique to Caulobacter. Here we demonstrate that IF-like function is probably a more widespread phenomenon in bacteria. First, we show that 21 genomes of 26 phylogenetically diverse species encoded uncharacterized proteins with a central segmented coiled coil rod domain, which we regarded as a key structural feature of IF proteins and crescentin. Experimental studies of three in silico predicted candidates from Mycobacterium and other actinomycetes reveale

SUBMITTER: Bagchi S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2680258 | biostudies-literature | 2008 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature