MreB: unraveling the molecular mechanisms of bacterial shape, division, and environmental adaptation
Abstract As a key bacterial actin-like protein, MreB plays crucial roles in maintaining cell shape, regulating peptidoglycan synthesis, and coordinating chromosome segregation, making it a promising target for novel antibiotics. This review comprehensively explores MreB’s molecular architecture, its...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Cell Communication and Signaling |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-025-02373-y |
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| author | Yaqi Wang Yalan jiang Zhixuan Song Chengbin Zhu Yujun Tang Jiaofeng Peng Peng Liu |
| author_facet | Yaqi Wang Yalan jiang Zhixuan Song Chengbin Zhu Yujun Tang Jiaofeng Peng Peng Liu |
| author_sort | Yaqi Wang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract As a key bacterial actin-like protein, MreB plays crucial roles in maintaining cell shape, regulating peptidoglycan synthesis, and coordinating chromosome segregation, making it a promising target for novel antibiotics. This review comprehensively explores MreB’s molecular architecture, its assembly into antiparallel protofilaments, and its pivotal roles in bacterial cell morphology and division. We also delve into how MreB interacts with membrane-associated proteins such as RodZ and MreC/D to coordinate cell wall synthesis and respond to environmental signals like ion gradients and temperature changes. Furthermore, we highlight the cooperation and functional divergence between MreB and FtsZ, underscoring the evolutionary adaptability of bacterial cytoskeletal structures. The structural and functional parallels between MreB and eukaryotic cytoskeletal proteins are also examined, offering new insights into the evolution of cytoskeletal systems. By integrating insights from structural biology, synthetic biology, and microbial ecology, this review aims to provide a deeper understanding of MreB’s role in bacterial biology, its dynamic responses to environmental cues, and its implications for therapeutic innovation. This comprehensive analysis not only enhances our knowledge of bacterial self-organization mechanisms but also paves the way for the development of innovative antimicrobial strategies to address the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-295a00f58d95444896a633acfe8cf2ab |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1478-811X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Cell Communication and Signaling |
| spelling | doaj-art-295a00f58d95444896a633acfe8cf2ab2025-08-24T11:41:04ZengBMCCell Communication and Signaling1478-811X2025-08-0123112110.1186/s12964-025-02373-yMreB: unraveling the molecular mechanisms of bacterial shape, division, and environmental adaptationYaqi Wang0Yalan jiang1Zhixuan Song2Chengbin Zhu3Yujun Tang4Jiaofeng Peng5Peng Liu6Institute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South ChinaInstitute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South ChinaInstitute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South ChinaHengyang Chinese Medicine HospitalPlastic Surgery Department, The Second Hospital University of South ChinaAffiliated Hengyang Hospital of Hunan Normal University &Hengyang Central HospitalInstitute of Pathogenic Biology, Basic Medical School, Hengyang Medical School, University of South ChinaAbstract As a key bacterial actin-like protein, MreB plays crucial roles in maintaining cell shape, regulating peptidoglycan synthesis, and coordinating chromosome segregation, making it a promising target for novel antibiotics. This review comprehensively explores MreB’s molecular architecture, its assembly into antiparallel protofilaments, and its pivotal roles in bacterial cell morphology and division. We also delve into how MreB interacts with membrane-associated proteins such as RodZ and MreC/D to coordinate cell wall synthesis and respond to environmental signals like ion gradients and temperature changes. Furthermore, we highlight the cooperation and functional divergence between MreB and FtsZ, underscoring the evolutionary adaptability of bacterial cytoskeletal structures. The structural and functional parallels between MreB and eukaryotic cytoskeletal proteins are also examined, offering new insights into the evolution of cytoskeletal systems. By integrating insights from structural biology, synthetic biology, and microbial ecology, this review aims to provide a deeper understanding of MreB’s role in bacterial biology, its dynamic responses to environmental cues, and its implications for therapeutic innovation. This comprehensive analysis not only enhances our knowledge of bacterial self-organization mechanisms but also paves the way for the development of innovative antimicrobial strategies to address the growing challenge of antibiotic resistance.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-025-02373-yMreBBacterial cytoskeletonCell wall synthesisMorphogenesisCell polarity |
| spellingShingle | Yaqi Wang Yalan jiang Zhixuan Song Chengbin Zhu Yujun Tang Jiaofeng Peng Peng Liu MreB: unraveling the molecular mechanisms of bacterial shape, division, and environmental adaptation Cell Communication and Signaling MreB Bacterial cytoskeleton Cell wall synthesis Morphogenesis Cell polarity |
| title | MreB: unraveling the molecular mechanisms of bacterial shape, division, and environmental adaptation |
| title_full | MreB: unraveling the molecular mechanisms of bacterial shape, division, and environmental adaptation |
| title_fullStr | MreB: unraveling the molecular mechanisms of bacterial shape, division, and environmental adaptation |
| title_full_unstemmed | MreB: unraveling the molecular mechanisms of bacterial shape, division, and environmental adaptation |
| title_short | MreB: unraveling the molecular mechanisms of bacterial shape, division, and environmental adaptation |
| title_sort | mreb unraveling the molecular mechanisms of bacterial shape division and environmental adaptation |
| topic | MreB Bacterial cytoskeleton Cell wall synthesis Morphogenesis Cell polarity |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12964-025-02373-y |
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