Justice Sheryl S, Hunstad David A, Cegelski Lynette, Hultgren Scott J
Center for Microbial Pathogenesis, The Research Institute at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, Ohio 43205, USA.
Nat Rev Microbiol. 2008 Feb;6(2):162-8. doi: 10.1038/nrmicro1820.
Bacteria have evolved complex systems to maintain consistent cell morphologies. Nevertheless, in certain circumstances, bacteria alter this highly regulated process to transform into filamentous organisms. Accumulating evidence attributes important biological roles to filamentation in stressful environments, including, but not limited to, sites of interaction between pathogenic bacteria and their hosts. Filamentation could represent an intended response to specific environmental cues that promote survival amidst the threats of consumption and killing.
细菌已经进化出复杂的系统来维持一致的细胞形态。然而，在某些情况下，细菌会改变这一高度调控的过程，转变为丝状生物体。越来越多的证据表明，在压力环境中，丝状化具有重要的生物学作用，包括但不限于病原菌与其宿主相互作用的部位。丝状化可能是对特定环境信号的一种预期反应，有助于在被消耗和杀灭的威胁中生存。
