Birds of a Tether Flock Together: Examining Centromere Tethering and Chromosome Segregation in Caulobacter crescentus

Authors

• Jake Dwyer, Triton College
• Simon Kruczak, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Rodrigo Arana-Garrido, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• Paola Mera, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Summer 2026

Abstract

Introduction:

Chromosome segregation is essential for all domains of life. Caulobacter crescentus is a key model for studying this process. It divides asymmetrically into two morphologically distinct cells. Proteins can be seen directly with fluorescent tags.

Research done on Caulobacter can apply to many different bacteria. The ParABS system is integral to chromosome segregation in Caulobacter.

ParS – DNA sequence on the chromosome

ParB – CTP-binding protein that specifically recognizes parS

ParA – ATP-binding protein that non-specifically binds DNA and provides the force for segregation.

PopZ – Polar tethering protein via interactions with ParB.

TipN - Polar protein that has been recently discovered to be involved in tethering.

The connections between these proteins are still not entirely understood.

Rights

Copyright is owned by the creator of this work.

Recommended Citation

Dwyer, Jake; Kruczak, Simon; Arana-Garrido, Rodrigo; and Mera, Paola, "Birds of a Tether Flock Together: Examining Centromere Tethering and Chromosome Segregation in Caulobacter crescentus" (2026). MICRO-CCS student projects. 25.
https://spark.parkland.edu/micro_ccs_student/25