A. G. Vecchiarelli

An invariant C-terminal tryptophan in McdB mediates its interaction and positioning function with carboxysomes

The paper identifies an invariant tryptophan in McdB that mediates its interaction with carboxysomes and influences their positioning, showing similar mechanisms in both α- and β-carboxysomes.

An experimental framework to assess biomolecular condensates in bacteria

This paper presents an experimental framework to study biomolecular condensates in E. coli, showing their formation, reversibility, and dynamics, and introduces a marker to distinguish condensates from aggregates.

Cell Surface-localized CsgF Condensate is a Gatekeeper in Bacterial Curli Subunit Secretion

This study shows that CsgF undergoes phase separation and regulates curli subunit secretion by forming condensates that template CsgA amyloid formation on the cell surface.

Multiple ParA/MinD ATPases coordinate the positioning of disparate cargos in a bacterial cell

This study identifies multiple ParA/MinD ATPases in bacteria that coordinate the positioning of diverse cellular cargos, revealing specificity determinants and indirect regulatory interactions.

Dissecting the phase separation and oligomerization activities of the carboxysome positioning protein McdB

This study investigates the structural and functional properties of McdB, a protein involved in carboxysome positioning, revealing its role in phase separation and oligomerization.

Rho and F-actin self-organize within an artificial cell cortex

This study creates an artificial cell cortex using Xenopus egg extract and lipid bilayers to observe self-organizing Rho and F-actin dynamics similar to those in vivo.

Dissection of the ATPase active site of McdA reveals the sequential steps essential for carboxysome distribution

This study identifies key steps in the ATPase cycle of McdA that drive carboxysome distribution by trapping McdA at specific ATP cycle stages and mapping its interactions with DNA and McdB-bound carboxysomes.

The McdAB system positions α-carboxysomes in proteobacteria

The paper shows that the McdAB system positions α-carboxysomes in proteobacteria, distinct from its role in cyanobacteria, and suggests horizontal transfer of the system from proteobacteria to cyanobacteria.

The emergence of phase separation as an organizing principle in bacteria

This review evaluates methodologies for studying membraneless organelles in bacteria, discusses challenges in determining phase separation, and outlines future directions for research.

Cyanobacterial growth and morphology are influenced by carboxysome positioning and temperature

This study shows that carboxysome positioning in cyanobacteria affects growth, morphology, and RuBisCO levels, with temperature-dependent effects.

The McdAB Carboxysome Positioning System is Widespread Among β-cyanobacteria

The paper identifies the McdAB system as widespread in β-cyanobacteria, absent in α-cyanobacteria, and shows that McdB undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation.

Species- and C-terminal linker-dependent variations in the dynamic behavior of FtsZ on membranes in vitro

This study examines how the C-terminal linker of FtsZ affects its polymerization dynamics on membranes, revealing species-specific differences in Z-ring formation.