Infographic: Relaying Stress Signals in Bacteria

Widening the gap between a bacterium's cell wall and its outer membrane impairs its ability to respond to stress-inducing signals.

Written byDiana Kwon
| 1 min read

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© STEVE GRAEPEL

When a bacterium encounters a stressor, RcsF inhibits IgaA, lifting its blockage on the activity of downstream components of the Rcs network. But if the periplasmic distance widens, RcsF is unable to reach IgaA, preventing the system from initiating a stress response.

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Meet the Author

  • Diana is a freelance science journalist who covers the life sciences, health, and academic life. She’s a regular contributor to The Scientist and her work has appeared in several other publications, including Scientific American, Knowable, and Quanta. Diana was a former intern at The Scientist and she holds a master’s degree in neuroscience from McGill University. She’s currently based in Berlin, Germany.

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