Intergenerational continuity of cell shape dynamics in Caulobacter crescentus

TL;DR

This study combines advanced imaging and modeling to analyze how cell shape parameters in Caulobacter crescentus are inherited and controlled across generations, revealing early constriction and mechanical asymmetries.

Contribution

It introduces a novel combination of imaging and theoretical modeling to quantify intergenerational shape dynamics and mechanical properties in Caulobacter crescentus.

Findings

Constriction begins early in the cell cycle.

Division plane asymmetry is inherited from the previous generation.

Mechanical properties differ between stalked and swarmer poles.

Abstract

We investigate the intergenerational shape dynamics of single Caulobacter crescentus cells using a novel combination of imaging techniques and theoretical modeling. We determine the dynamics of cell pole-to-pole lengths, cross-sectional widths, and medial curvatures from high accuracy measurements of cell contours. Moreover, these shape parameters are determined for over 250 cells across approximately 10000 total generations, which affords high statistical precision. Our data and model show that constriction is initiated early in the cell cycle and that its dynamics are controlled by the time scale of exponential longitudinal growth. Based on our extensive and detailed growth and contour data, we develop a minimal mechanical model that quantitatively accounts for the cell shape dynamics and suggests that the asymmetric location of the division plane reflects the distinct mechanical properties of the stalked and swarmer poles. Furthermore, we find that the asymmetry in the division plane location is inherited from the previous generation. We interpret these results in terms of the current molecular understanding of shape, growth, and division of C. crescentus