Over the course of their study, the researchers experimented with deleting more than 4,000 bacterial genes from E. coli to determine the role they played in strengthening the envelope that protect bacteria. They identified several dozen new genes and proteins associated with bolstering stiffness. Prior to their findings, only a single gene was thought to be associated with keeping the protective shell that surrounds bacteria stiff. Additionally, through their experimentation, the researchers also were able to link genes with virtually every possible cell function.
“Studies of cell mechanics often start with candidate proteins already thought to be related to cell stability, but cells are wired together in non-obvious ways,” Douglas Weibel, PhD, lead study author, said in a statement. “Most of the cell mechanics known are from red blood cells and mammalian cells. Not many people got jazzed up thinking about how bacteria do it.”
The detailed linkage between bacterial genes and their roles in insulating bacteria that cause hospital infections could lead to advances in how to weaken the bugs and make them more susceptible to antibiotics or other forms of treatment.
The research is published in Cell Systems.
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