FcrX coordinates cell cycle and division during free-living growth and symbiosis by a ClpXP-dependent mechanism.

is a soil bacterium that establishes a nitrogen-fixing symbiosis within root nodules of legumes. In this symbiosis, undergoes a drastic cellular change leading to a terminally differentiated form, called bacteroid, characterized by genome endoreduplication, increased cell size, and high membrane permeability. Bacterial cell cycle (mis)regulation is at the heart of this differentiation process.

The complex regulation of competence in Staphylococcus aureus under microaerobic conditions.

To perform natural transformation, one of the three main Horizontal Gene Transfer mechanisms, bacteria need to enter a physiological differentiated state called genetic competence. Interestingly, new bacteria displaying such aptitude are often discovered, and one of the latest is the human pathogen Staphylococcus aureus.Here, we show an optimized protocol, based on planktonic cells cultures, leading to a large percentage of the population activating the development of competence and a significant improvement of S.