Persistent super-diffusive motion of Escherichia coli chromosomal loci

Avelino Javer, Nathan J. Kuwada, Zhicheng Long, Vincenzo G. Benza, Kevin D. Dorfman, Paul A. Wiggins, Pietro Cicuta and Marco Cosentino Lagomarsino ()
Additional contact information
Avelino Javer: Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge
Nathan J. Kuwada: Box 351560, University of Washington
Zhicheng Long: University of Minnesota—Twin Cities
Vincenzo G. Benza: Università dell’Insubria
Kevin D. Dorfman: University of Minnesota—Twin Cities
Paul A. Wiggins: Box 351560, University of Washington
Pietro Cicuta: Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge
Marco Cosentino Lagomarsino: University of Minnesota—Twin Cities

Nature Communications, 2014, vol. 5, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract The physical nature of the bacterial chromosome has important implications for its function. Using high-resolution dynamic tracking, we observe the existence of rare but ubiquitous ‘rapid movements’ of chromosomal loci exhibiting near-ballistic dynamics. This suggests that these movements are either driven by an active machinery or part of stress-relaxation mechanisms. Comparison with a null physical model for subdiffusive chromosomal dynamics shows that rapid movements are excursions from a basal subdiffusive dynamics, likely due to driven and/or stress-relaxation motion. Additionally, rapid movements are in some cases coupled with known transitions of chromosomal segregation. They do not co-occur strictly with replication, their frequency varies with growth condition and chromosomal coordinate, and they show a preference for longitudinal motion. These findings support an emerging picture of the bacterial chromosome as off-equilibrium active matter and help developing a correct physical model of its in vivo dynamic structure.

Date: 2014
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms4854

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