Determining the bacterial cell biology of Planctomycetes

Christian Boedeker, Margarete Schüler, Greta Reintjes, Olga Jeske, Muriel C. F. van Teeseling, Mareike Jogler, Patrick Rast, Daniela Borchert, Damien P. Devos, Martin Kucklick, Miroslava Schaffer, Roberto Kolter, Laura van Niftrik, Susanne Engelmann, Rudolf Amann, Manfred Rohde, Harald Engelhardt and Christian Jogler ()
Additional contact information
Christian Boedeker: Leibniz Institute DSMZ
Margarete Schüler: Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry
Greta Reintjes: Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology
Olga Jeske: Leibniz Institute DSMZ
Muriel C. F. van Teeseling: Radboud University
Mareike Jogler: Leibniz Institute DSMZ
Patrick Rast: Leibniz Institute DSMZ
Daniela Borchert: Leibniz Institute DSMZ
Damien P. Devos: CABD, Pablo de Olavide University-CSIC
Martin Kucklick: Helmholtz Center for Infection Research GmbH
Miroslava Schaffer: Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry
Roberto Kolter: Harvard Medical School, Boston
Laura van Niftrik: Radboud University
Susanne Engelmann: Helmholtz Center for Infection Research GmbH
Rudolf Amann: Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology
Manfred Rohde: Helmholtz Center for Infection Research GmbH
Harald Engelhardt: Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry
Christian Jogler: Leibniz Institute DSMZ

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract Bacteria of the phylum Planctomycetes have been previously reported to possess several features that are typical of eukaryotes, such as cytosolic compartmentalization and endocytosis-like macromolecule uptake. However, recent evidence points towards a Gram-negative cell plan for Planctomycetes, although in-depth experimental analysis has been hampered by insufficient genetic tools. Here we develop methods for expression of fluorescent proteins and for gene deletion in a model planctomycete, Planctopirus limnophila, to analyse its cell organization in detail. Super-resolution light microscopy of mutants, cryo-electron tomography, bioinformatic predictions and proteomic analyses support an altered Gram-negative cell plan for Planctomycetes, including a defined outer membrane, a periplasmic space that can be greatly enlarged and convoluted, and an energized cytoplasmic membrane. These conclusions are further supported by experiments performed with two other Planctomycetes, Gemmata obscuriglobus and Rhodopirellula baltica. We also provide experimental evidence that is inconsistent with endocytosis-like macromolecule uptake; instead, extracellular macromolecules can be taken up and accumulate in the periplasmic space through unclear mechanisms.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14853

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