What question did this study set out to answer?

To identify cellular factors and pathways that become essential for chromosome segregation and cell viability when SMC complex activity is impaired in Bacillus subtilis.

June 22, 2026

Efficient septum formation is essential for chromosome segregation in Bacillus subtilis when SMC function is impaired

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Authors

NLNicole T LaiIndiana University Bloomington LLLaura C LastraIndiana University Bloomington KAKehinde O AdebiyiIndiana University Bloomington

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Implication

Genetic analysis reveals that septum formation is essential for chromosome terminus segregation in SMC-deficient Bacillus subtilis, indicating an interdependence between cytokinesis and DNA partition.

Key Points

To identify cellular factors and pathways that become essential for chromosome segregation and cell viability when SMC complex activity is impaired in Bacillus subtilis.
Conducted a synthetic lethal genetic screen using a hypomorphic smc allele (smc*) exhibiting mild defects in chromosome segregation.
Assessed genetic interactions with division-site regulation mutants (ΔminJ, ΔdivIVA, and ΔminD) and analyzed replication terminus resolution and cell viability.
Identified cell division determinants minJ and divIVA as synthetically lethal in the smc* background, causing failure in replication terminus segregation.
Demonstrated that restoring division symmetry via minD deletion rescued terminus segregation and restored viability in smc* ΔminJ and smc* ΔdivIVA strains.
Showed that efficient division septum formation facilitates SpoIIIE-dependent DNA translocation to clear the chromosome terminus during cytokinesis.

Cite This Study

Lai et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a7ce51fa9fa5696b97bf4c4 https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.06.22.733809

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Efficient septum formation is essential for chromosome segregation in Bacillus subtilis when SMC function is impaired

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

Efficient septum formation is essential for chromosome segregation in Bacillus subtilis when SMC function is impaired

Discussion

Member takes

Implication

Key Points

Cite This Study

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