A Ubiquitous Platform for Bacterial Nanotube Biogenesis

• DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.02.055
• Publication Date: 2019-03-28T14:41:54Z
• Authors: Saurabh Bhattacharya; Amit K. Baidya; Ritesh Ranjan Pal; Gideon Mamou; Yair E. Gatt; Hanah Margalit; Ilan Rosenshine; Sigal Ben-Yehuda
• Keywords: Organelle biogenesis

We have previously described the existence of membranous nanotubes, bridging adjacent bacteria, facilitating intercellular trafficking nutrients, cytoplasmic proteins, and even plasmids, yet components enabling their biogenesis remain elusive. Here we reveal identity a molecular apparatus providing platform for nanotube biogenesis. Using Bacillus subtilis (Bs), demonstrate that conserved flagellar export (FliO, FliP, FliQ, FliR, FlhB, FlhA), designated CORE, dually serve flagellum assembly. Mutants lacking CORE genes, but not other components, are deficient in both production associated trafficking. In accord, located at sites emergence. Deleting COREs distinct species established CORE-mediated formation is widespread. Furthermore, exogenous from diverse could restore generation functionality Bs endogenous CORE. Our results CORE-derived ubiquitous organelle facilitates trade across bacterial kingdom.