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PreprintCited by 3Bacterial Genetics and BiotechnologyMicrotubule and mitosis dynamicsBiochemical and Structural Characterization

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Repurposing of a DNA segregation machinery into a cytoskeletal system controlling cell shape

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Springstein, Benjamin L., Javoor, Manjunath G., Megrian, Daniela, Hajdu, Roman, Hanke, Dustin M., Zens, Bettina, Weiss, Gregor L., Schur, Florian K. M., Loose, Martin·2025·Science
DOI 10.1101/2025.06.27.661541

Preprint — published as 10.1126/science.aea6343

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Abstract

Bacteria, like eukaryotes, use conserved cytoskeletal systems for intracellular organization. The plasmid-encoded ParMRC system forms actin-like filaments that segregate low-copy plasmids. In multicellular cyanobacteria like Anabaena sp., we found that a chromosomally-encoded ParMR has evolved into a novel cytoskeleton-termed CorMR-with a function in cell shape control rather than DNA segregation. Using live-cell imaging, in vitro reconstitution and Cryo-EM, we demonstrate that CorM forms dynamically unstable, antiparallel double-stranded filaments, which are recruited to the membrane by CorR via an amphipathic helix conserved in multicellular cyanobacteria. CorMR filaments are regulated by MinC, which excludes them from the poles and division plane. Comparative genomics reveal that the repurposing of ParMR and Min systems co-evolved with cyanobacterial multicellularity, highlighting the evolutionary plasticity of cytoskeletal systems in bacteria.

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Metadata

Authors
Springstein, B. L., Javoor, M. G., Megrian, D., Hajdu, R., Hanke, D. M., Zens, B., Weiss, G. L., Schur, F. K. M., & Loose, M.
Affiliations
  • Institute of Science and Technology Austria (AT)
  • Institut Pasteur de Montevideo (UY)
  • Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel (DE)
Corresponding author
Springstein, Benjamin L.
ORCID
Venue
Science
Publisher
openRxiv
Published
2025-06-29
Volume
392
Issue
6795
Pages
eaea6343-eaea6343
ISSN
0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1101/2025.06.27.661541
OpenAlex
W7154615218
Cited by
3
References
1
Citations by year
2026: 2
FWCI
8.09
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (acceptedVersion, cc-by-nc-nd)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • European Union‘s Horizon 2020 (Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement No.101034413)
  • Swiss National Science Foundation (TMSGI3_226208)
  • Jean-Jacques et Letitia Lopez-Loreta Foundation
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › Microtubule and mitosis dynamics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Molecular Biology › Biochemical and Structural Characterization
Keywords
DNA segregation, actin-like filaments, cell shape regulation, Anabaena, MinC, amphipathic helix, membrane recruitment, bacterial cytoskeleton, low copy number plasmids
MeSH terms
Bacterial Proteins, Cytoskeleton, DNA, Bacterial, Plasmids, Anabaena, Chromosome Segregation, Cryoelectron Microscopy, Cell Shape

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