How are membrane proteins localized within bacterial cells?
Subcellular protein targeting is an essential feature of bacterial cells, as it is required for cell division, chromosome segregation, as well as for development. However, in contrast to eukaryotic cells, virtually nothing is known about the mechanism by which bacterial proteins reach their correct subcellular address. Our studies have identified two distinct mechanisms by which proteins localize during engulfment (Figure 2). We are also investigating the mechanism by which the assembly of the SpoIIIE DNA translocase is restricted to one side of the septum and the mechanism by which membrane proteins are inserted into the bilayer. Fig. 2. Two pathways for protein localization during sporulation, the septal landmark pathway (A-C) and the protein-protein zipper (D-F). How do bacteria catalyze membrane fission? The final step of engulfment is a membrane fission event that releases the forespore into the mother cell cytoplasm. We have identified a conserved bacterial protein required for t
