Phagocytosis in a Shape-shifting Bacterium

Trends in Microbiology

Volume 28, Issue 6, June 2020, Pages 428-430

Phagocytosis – cell ingestion – is an important process confined to eukaryotes. Or is it? Shiratori et al. have discovered the existence of phagocytosis in a planctomycete bacterium, raising new questions about the significance of phagotrophy beyond the realm of eukaryotic life.

T. Shiratori
Phagocytosis-like cell engulfment by a planctomycete bacterium
Nat. Commun.
(2019)
T.G.A. Lonhienne
Endocytosis-like protein uptake in the bacterium Gemmata obscuriglobus
Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A.
(2010)
N. Yutin
The origins of phagocytosis and eukaryogenesis
Biol. Direct
(2009)
O. Jeske
Planctomycetes do possess a peptidoglycan cell wall
Nat. Commun.
(2015)
W. Liesack
Chemical composition of the peptidoglycan-free cell envelopes of budding bacteria of the Pirella/Planctomyces group
Arch. Microbiol.
(1986)

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