Subcellular organization of the archaeal cell

Abstract

Bacteria and archaea generally do not possess membrane-bound internal compartments. However, they both need to specifically control the localization of proteins (e.g. to the septum during cell division or to the cell poles as is the case for the archaellation machinery), spatially separate incompatible biochemical reactions, or actively transport larger intracellular cargos such as chromosomes. Yet, little is known about whether and how the distribution of certain proteins, DNA, or other molecules is regulated in archaea. Here, we will present examples of intracellular compartments in archaea and discuss recent mechanistic insights into how archaeal cells control the subcellular localization of molecular machines.