RocS drives chromosome segregation and nucleoid protection in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Nat Microbiol. 2019 Oct;4(10):1661-1670. doi: 10.1038/s41564-019-0472-z. Epub 2019 Jun 10.

Abstract

Chromosome segregation in bacteria is poorly understood outside some prominent model strains1-5 and even less is known about how it is coordinated with other cellular processes. This is the case for the opportunistic human pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae (the pneumococcus)6, which lacks the Min and the nucleoid occlusion systems7, and possesses only an incomplete chromosome partitioning Par(A)BS system, in which ParA is absent8. The bacterial tyrosine kinase9 CpsD, which is required for capsule production, was previously found to interfere with chromosome segregation10. Here, we identify a protein of unknown function that interacts with CpsD and drives chromosome segregation. RocS (Regulator of Chromosome Segregation) is a membrane-bound protein that interacts with both DNA and the chromosome partitioning protein ParB to properly segregate the origin of replication region to new daughter cells. In addition, we show that RocS interacts with the cell division protein FtsZ and hinders cell division. Altogether, this work reveals that RocS is the cornerstone of a nucleoid protection system ensuring proper chromosome segregation and cell division in coordination with the biogenesis of the protective capsular layer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Capsules / metabolism
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Division
  • Chromosome Segregation*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • DNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*
  • Gene Deletion
  • Models, Biological
  • Origin Recognition Complex / genetics
  • Origin Recognition Complex / metabolism
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / genetics
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / metabolism
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / cytology*
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / genetics
  • Streptococcus pneumoniae / metabolism

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DNA-Binding Proteins
  • FtsZ protein, Bacteria
  • OriC chromosomal replication origin
  • Origin Recognition Complex
  • chromosome partition proteins, bacterial
  • CpsD protein, Streptococcus pneumoniae
  • Protein-Tyrosine Kinases