Restriction endonuclease triggered bacterial apoptosis as a mechanism for long time survival

Nagamalleswari, Easa and Rao, Sandhya and Vasu, Kommireddy and Nagaraja, Valakunja (2017) Restriction endonuclease triggered bacterial apoptosis as a mechanism for long time survival. In: NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH, 45 (14). pp. 8423-8434.

Other (Journal Article) Nuc_Aci_Res_45-14_8423_2017 - Published Version Download (9MB)

Abstract

Programmed cell death (PCD) under certain conditions is one of the features of bacterial altruism. Given the bacterial diversity and varied life style, different PCD mechanisms must be operational that remain largely unexplored. We describe restriction endonuclease (REase) mediated cell death by an apoptotic pathway, beneficial for isogenic bacterial communities. Cell death is pronounced in stationary phase and when the enzyme exhibits promiscuous DNA cleavage activity. We have elucidated the molecular mechanism of REase mediated cell killing and demonstrate that released nutrients from dying cells support the growth of the remaining cells in the population. These findings illustrate a new intracellular moonlighting role for REases which are otherwise established host defence arsenals. REase induced PCD appears to be a cellular design to replenish nutrients for cells undergoing starvation stress and the phenomenon could be wide spread in bacteria, given the abundance of restriction-modification (R-M) systems in the microbial population.

Item Type:	Journal Article
Publication:	NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
Additional Information:	Copy right for this article belongs to the OXFORD UNIV PRESS, GREAT CLARENDON ST, OXFORD OX2 6DP, ENGLAND
Department/Centre:	Division of Biological Sciences > Microbiology & Cell Biology
Date Deposited:	16 Sep 2017 05:45
Last Modified:	16 Sep 2017 05:45
URI:	http://eprints.iisc.ac.in/id/eprint/57811

Actions (login required)

View Item