c-di-GMP heterogeneity is generated by the chemotaxis machinery to regulate flagellar motility
Bridget R Kulasekara,
Cassandra Kamischke,
Hemantha D Kulasekara,
Matthias Christen,
Paul A Wiggins,
Samuel I Miller
Affiliations
Bridget R Kulasekara
Molecular and Cellular Biology Program, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
Cassandra Kamischke
Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
Hemantha D Kulasekara
Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
Matthias Christen
Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
Paul A Wiggins
Department of Physics, University of Washington, Seattle, United States; Department of Bioengineering, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
Samuel I Miller
Department of Microbiology, University of Washington, Seattle, United States; Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, United States; Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, United States
Individual cell heterogeneity is commonly observed within populations, although its molecular basis is largely unknown. Previously, using FRET-based microscopy, we observed heterogeneity in cellular c-di-GMP levels. In this study, we show that c-di-GMP heterogeneity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa is promoted by a specific phosphodiesterase partitioned after cell division. We found that subcellular localization and reduction of c-di-GMP levels by this phosphodiesterase is dependent on the histidine kinase component of the chemotaxis machinery, CheA, and its phosphorylation state. Therefore, individual cell heterogeneity in c-di-GMP concentrations is regulated by the activity and the asymmetrical inheritance of the chemotaxis organelle after cell division. c-di-GMP heterogeneity results in a diversity of motility behaviors. The generation of diverse intracellular concentrations of c-di-GMP by asymmetric partitioning is likely important to the success and survival of bacterial populations within the environment by allowing a variety of motility behaviors.
