Cell wall biogenesis during elongation and division in the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens

Abstract

A great diversity of bacterial cell shapes can be found in nature, suggesting that cell wall biogenesis is regulated both spatially and temporally. Although Agrobacterium tumefaciens has a rod-shaped morphology, the mechanisms underlying cell growth are strikingly different than other well-studied rod-shaped bacteria including Escherichia coli. Technological advances, such as the ability to deplete essential genes and the development of fluorescent d-amino acids, have enabled recent advances in our understanding of cell wall biogenesis during cell elongation and division of A. tumefaciens. In this review, we address how the field has evolved over the years by providing a historical overview of cell elongation and division in rod-shaped bacteria. Next, we summarize the current understanding of cell growth and cell division processes in A. tumefaciens. Finally, we highlight the need for further research to answer key questions related to the regulation of cell wall biogenesis in A. tumefaciens.