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Abstract

The proper positioning of regulatory proteins has a central role in the organization of both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Important insights into the principles that underlie the spatial control of cellular processes have been gained from studies on the asymmetric bacterium C. crescentus. In this organism, the cell cycle state is monitored by a complex two-component signaling network that feeds into the central pathways controlling gene expression, DNA replication and polar morphogenesis. Moreover, a sophisticated regulatory system closely interconnects chromosome dynamics with cell division, thus ensuring the generation of viable offspring. Recent work has identified several new key players in this intricate machinery and considerably increased our knowledge on the communication between the different regulatory pathways involved.