Oscillating global regulators control the genetic circuit driving a bacterial cell cycle

Science. 2004 May 14;304(5673):983-7. doi: 10.1126/science.1095191. Epub 2004 Apr 15.

Abstract

A newly identified cell-cycle master regulator protein, GcrA, together with the CtrA master regulator, are key components of a genetic circuit that drives cell-cycle progression and asymmetric polar morphogenesis in Caulobacter crescentus. The circuit drives out-of-phase temporal and spatial oscillation of GcrA and CtrA concentrations, producing time- and space-dependent transcriptional regulation of modular functions that implement cell-cycle processes. The CtrA/GcrA regulatory circuit controls expression of polar differentiation factors and the timing of DNA replication. CtrA functions as a silencer of the replication origin and GcrA as an activator of components of the replisome and the segregation machinery.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Caulobacter crescentus / cytology*
  • Caulobacter crescentus / genetics*
  • Caulobacter crescentus / growth & development
  • Caulobacter crescentus / metabolism
  • Cell Cycle / genetics*
  • DNA Replication
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Bacterial*
  • Gene Silencing
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Genes, Essential
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • Replication Origin
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Transcription, Genetic

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • CtrA protein, Caulobacter
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transcription Factors