Rhodoccoccus erythropolis Is Different from Other Members of Actinobacteria : Monoploidy, Overlapping Replication Cycle, and Unique Segregation Pattern

Abstract

Rhodococci are highly versatile Gram-positive bacteria with high bioremediation potential. Some rhodococci are pathogenic and have been suggested as emerging threats. No studies on the replication, segregation, and cell cycle of these bacteria have been reported. Here, we demonstrate that the genus Rhodococcus is different from other actinomycetes, such as members of the genera Corynebacterium , Mycobacterium , and Streptomyces , with respect to ploidy and chromosome organization and segregation. Such studies will be useful not only in designing better therapeutics pathogenic strains in the future but also for studying genome maintenance in strains used for bioremediation.