Publications by authors named "Anna Brogan"

The cytoplasmic membrane of bacteria is composed of a phospholipid bilayer made up of a diverse set of lipids. Phosphatidylglycerol (PG) is one of the principal constituents and its production is essential for growth in many bacteria. All the enzymes required for PG biogenesis in have been identified and characterized decades ago.

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Article Synopsis
  • Endospore-forming bacteria can survive prolonged starvation by entering a dormant state as spores, which can remain inactive for years but can quickly resume growth when nutrients are available.
  • Researchers used transposon-sequencing to identify genes involved in spore germination, discovering both known and new germination genes; they provided detailed characterization of 15 genes, focusing on one key protein, GerY.
  • Findings suggest that proteins like GerY, GerT, and GerP are crucial for nutrient transit through the spore coat to activate germination, highlighting their independent roles in the germination process.
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When faced with starvation, the bacterium transforms itself into a dormant cell type called a "spore". Sporulation initiates with an asymmetric division event, which requires the relocation of the core divisome components FtsA and FtsZ, after which the sigma factor σ is exclusively activated in the smaller daughter cell. Compartment-specific activation of σ requires the SpoIIE phosphatase, which displays a biased localization on one side of the asymmetric division septum and associates with the structural protein DivIVA, but the mechanism by which this preferential localization is achieved is unclear.

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Bacterial spores can remain dormant for decades yet rapidly germinate and resume growth in response to nutrients. GerA family receptors that sense and respond to these signals have recently been shown to oligomerize into nutrient-gated ion channels. Ion release initiates exit from dormancy.

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When faced with starvation, the bacterium transforms itself into a dormant cell type called a "spore". Sporulation initiates with an asymmetric division event, which requires the relocation of the core divisome components FtsA and FtsZ, after which the sigma factor σ is exclusively activated in the smaller daughter cell. Compartment specific activation of σ requires the SpoIIE phosphatase, which displays a biased localization on one side of the asymmetric division septum and associates with the structural protein DivIVA, but the mechanism by which this preferential localization is achieved is unclear.

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Gram-positive bacteria use SigI/RsgI-family sigma factor/anti-sigma factor pairs to sense and respond to cell wall defects and plant polysaccharides. In this signal transduction pathway involves regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) of the membrane-anchored anti-sigma factor RsgI. However, unlike most RIP signaling pathways, site-1 cleavage of RsgI on the extracytoplasmic side of the membrane is constitutive and the cleavage products remain stably associated, preventing intramembrane proteolysis.

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Unlabelled: Gram-positive bacteria use SigI/RsgI-family sigma factor/anti-sigma factor pairs to sense and respond to cell wall defects and plant polysaccharides. In this signal transduction pathway involves regulated intramembrane proteolysis (RIP) of the membrane-anchored anti-sigma factor RsgI. However, unlike most RIP signaling pathways, site-1 cleavage of RsgI on the extracytoplasmic side of the membrane is constitutive and the cleavage products remain stably associated, preventing intramembrane proteolysis.

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Most bacteria are surrounded by a cell wall composed of peptidoglycan (PG) that specifies shape and protects the cell from osmotic rupture. Growth, division, and morphogenesis are intimately linked to the synthesis of this exoskeleton but also its hydrolysis. The enzymes that cleave the PG meshwork require careful control to prevent aberrant hydrolysis and loss of envelope integrity.

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Article Synopsis
  • Scientists found that certain special parts of proteins called IDRs help bacteria keep their cell walls strong.
  • When there's trouble with the cell wall, a protein called RsgI gets activated, which helps send a signal to fix things.
  • Both RsgI and another protein called PBP1 have these IDRs that help them work together to repair any weaknesses in the bacteria's protective layer.
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