Sunday, April 19, 2015
Simple Signal Spurs Complex Process of Fixing Cell Walls
Researchers at Stanford University have recently reported that many species of bacteria, including E. coli, "shed" their cell walls; The even more astonishing discovery was that they can later regenerate them. Whats more, this process can occur in just a couple of hours, merely a few generations. A major player in this process is the protein MreB. Dr. Berwyn Casey Huang, the lead researcher of the study, found that MreB responded to very simple signals in order to begin the process. The protein doesn't actually rebuild the walls, it acts as more of an enzyme coordinator. The reason for the shedding and regeneration is unknown for now, although Dr. Berwyn Casey Huang suggests that it may be an adaptation to avoid immune cell attacks. Once they dive more into the mechanisms and reasoning, they plan to apply this process to other important aspects of cell biology.
I found this article very interesting, and frankly surprising. The fact that such a vital system required for these bacteria to survive can be destroyed and rebuilt seemingly at will is unbelievable. Even more, the fact that they found this process evolves from such a simple cell signal. I hope they are able to find the reasoning behind this mechanism and be able to apply it to other aspects of the cell world.
Primary article - NYTimes
Secondary article - Nature
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