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Journal of Bacteriology, May 2003, p. 3068-3075, Vol. 185, No. 10
0021-9193/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JB.185.10.3068-3075.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.

Cell-Cycle-Regulated Expression and Subcellular Localization of the Caulobacter crescentus SMC Chromosome Structural Protein

Rasmus B. Jensen{dagger} and Lucy Shapiro*

Department of Developmental Biology, Beckman Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California 94305-5329

Received 16 January 2003/ Accepted 6 March 2003

Structural maintenance of chromosomes proteins (SMCs) bind to DNA and function to ensure proper chromosome organization in both eukaryotes and bacteria. Caulobacter crescentus possesses a single SMC homolog that plays a role in organizing and segregating daughter chromosomes. Approximately 1,500 to 2,000 SMC molecules are present per cell during active growth, corresponding to one SMC complex per 6,000 to 8,000 bp of chromosomal DNA. Although transcription from the smc promoter is induced during early S phase, a cell cycle transcription pattern previously observed with multiple DNA replication and repair genes, the SMC protein is present throughout the entire cell cycle. Examination of the intracellular location of SMC showed that in swarmer cells, which do not replicate DNA, the protein forms two or three foci. Stalked cells, which are actively engaged in DNA replication, have three or four SMC foci per cell. The SMC foci appear randomly distributed in the cell. Many predivisional cells have bright polar SMC foci, which are lost upon cell division. Thus, chromosome compaction likely involves dynamic aggregates of SMC bound to DNA. The aggregation pattern changes as a function of the cell cycle both during and upon completion of chromosome replication.

* Corresponding author. Mailing address: Department of Developmental Biology, Beckman Center, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA 94305-5329. Phone: (650) 725-7678. Fax: (650) 725-7739. E-mail: shapiro{at}cmgm.stanford.edu.

{dagger} Present address: Genencor International Inc., Palo Alto, CA 94304.

Journal of Bacteriology, May 2003, p. 3068-3075, Vol. 185, No. 10
0021-9193/03/$08.00+0     DOI: 10.1128/JB.185.10.3068-3075.2003
Copyright © 2003, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.



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Appl. Environ. Microbiol. Infect. Immun. Eukaryot. Cell
Mol. Cell. Biol. J. Virol. Microbiol. Mol. Biol. Rev.
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Copyright © 2003 by the American Society for Microbiology. All rights reserved.