Active and passive mechanisms of intracellular transport and localization in bacteria.

Publication Date: 2008 Nov 18 PMID: 19007909
Authors: Mignot, T. - Shaevitz, J. W.
Journal: Curr Opin Microbiol

Spatial complexity is a hallmark of living organisms. All cells adopt specific shapes and organize their contents in such a way that makes possible fundamental tasks such as growth, metabolism, replication, and division. Although many of these tasks in bacteria have been studied extensively, only recently have we begun to understand the influence of spatial organization on cell function. Clearly, bacteria are highly organized cells where proteins do not simply diffuse in a 'cytoplasmic soup' to exert function but can also be localized to specific subcellular sites. In this review, we discuss whether such order can be achieved solely by diffusive capture mechanisms or if active intracellular transport systems are required. current opinion in microbiology 22/11/2008 06:48