2024/12/05 by Erick Eligio Arroyo-Pérez, John C. Hook, Alejandra Alvarado +4 · 1 voice · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology #Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing #Vibrio bacteria research studies
paper · doi:10.7554/elife.93004.3
openalex publication_date 2024/12/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/01
The coordination of cell cycle progression and flagellar synthesis is a complex process in motile bacteria. In γ-proteobacteria, the localization of the flagellum to the cell pole is mediated by the SRP-type GTPase FlhF. However, the mechanism of action of FlhF, and its relationship with the cell pole landmark protein HubP remain unclear. In this study, we discovered a novel protein called FipA that is required for normal FlhF activity and function in polar flagellar synthesis. We demonstrated that membrane-localized FipA interacts with FlhF and is required for normal flagellar synthesis in Vibrio parahaemolyticus , Pseudomonas putida , and Shewanella putrefaciens , and it does so independently of the polar localization mediated by HubP. FipA exhibits a dynamic localization pattern and is present at the designated pole before flagellar synthesis begins, suggesting its role in licensing flagellar formation. This discovery provides insight into a new pathway for regulating flagellum synthesis and coordinating cellular organization in bacteria that rely on polar flagellation and FlhF-dependent localization.