Understanding Chromosome Replication and Segregation Unit of Mycobacterium and Its Comparative Analysis with Model Organisms: From Drug Targets to Drug Identification

Abstract

Bacterium maintains its pathogenicity in the host by continuing replication and adopting temporal and spatial coordination of cell division steps such as cell wall synthesis, DNA replication, chromosome segregation, Z ring assembly, septum formation and finally cytokinesis. This multistep process requires spatiotemporal assembly of macromolecular complexes and is probably regulated by redundant and multifunctional activities of cell replication and division proteins. Two macromolecular assemblies of peptidoglycan biosynthesis, known as elongasome and divisome are known to drive the division of mother cell into two daughter cells and are characterized by the presence of signature protein complexes. Though the exact composition of macromolecular complexes is yet to be defined in Mycobacterium, the presence of some conserved proteins demonstrates the preservation of elementary units. Along with elongasome and divisome complexes, chromosome replication and segregation proteins are very important to understand as these proteins are very essential for bacilli survival, sustenance, and pathogenesis. In this review, along with presenting the differential features of Mycobacterium cell division process, we are comparing chromosome replication and segregation proteins of Mycobacterium with other bacterial species as we aim to identify structural and functional differences between these proteins in different species. In this review, we have also listed the potential drugs that can be tested to target Mycobacterium chromosome replication and segregation proteins. We expect that based on these differences identified, researchers would be able to direct their research in the characterization of Mycobacterium specific drug.