Time lapse microscopy of Streptomyces coelicolor growth and sporulation

Vinod Jyothikumar, Emma J. Tilley, Rashmi Wali, Paul R. Herron

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

33 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Bacteria from the genus Streptomyces are among the most complex of all prokaryotes; not only do they grow as a complex mycelium, they also differentiate to form aerial hyphae before developing further to form spore chains. This developmental heterogeneity of streptomycete microcolonies makes studying the dynamic processes that contribute to growth and development a challenging procedure. As a result, in order to study the mechanisms that underpin streptomycete growth, we have developed a system for studying hyphal extension, protein trafficking, and sporulation by time-lapse microscopy. Through the use of time-lapse microscopy we have demonstrated that Streptomyces coelicolor germ tubes undergo a temporary arrest in their growth when in close proximity to sibling extension sites. Following germination, in this system, hyphae extended at a rate of 20 µm h-1, which was not significantly different from the rate at which the apical ring of the cytokinetic protein FtsZ progressed along extending hyphae through a spiraling movement. Although we were able to generate movies for streptomycete sporulation, we were unable to do so for either the erection of aerial hyphae or the early stages of sporulation. Despite this, it was possible to demonstrate an arrest of aerial hyphal development that we suggest is through the depolymerization of FtsZ-enhanced green fluorescent protein (GFP). Consequently, the imaging system reported here provides a system that allows the dynamic movement of GFP-tagged proteins involved in growth and development of S. coelicolor to be tracked and their role in cytokinesis to be characterized during the streptomycete life cycle.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)6774-6781
Number of pages7
JournalApplied and Environmental Microbiology
Volume74
Issue number21
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008

Keywords

  • time lapse microscopy
  • streptomyces
  • coelicolor growth
  • sporulation
  • pharmacology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Time lapse microscopy of Streptomyces coelicolor growth and sporulation'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this