Bacterial polarity.

Many recent studies have revealed exquisite subcellular localization of proteins, DNA, and other molecules within bacterial cells, giving credence to the concept of prokaryotic anatomy. Common sites for localized components are the poles of rod-shaped cells, which are dynamically modified in composition and function in order to control cellular physiology. An impressively diverse array of mechanisms underlies bacterial polarity, including oscillatory systems, phospho-signaling pathways, the sensing of membrane curvature, and the integration of cell cycle regulators with polar maturation.