Editing MreB (section)

== Function ==
MreB controls the width of rod-shaped [[bacteria]], such as ''[[Escherichia coli]]''. A [[mutant]] ''E. coli'' that creates defective MreB proteins will be spherical instead of rod-like. Also, most bacteria that are naturally spherical do not have the [[gene]] encoding MreB. Members of the [[Chlamydiota]] are a notable exception, as these bacteria utilize the protein for localized septal [[peptidoglycan]] synthesis.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ouellette SP, Karimova G, Subtil A, Ladant D | title = Chlamydia co-opts the rod shape-determining proteins MreB and Pbp2 for cell division | journal = Molecular Microbiology | volume = 85 | issue = 1 | pages = 164–178 | date = July 2012 | pmid = 22624979 | doi = 10.1111/j.1365-2958.2012.08100.x | s2cid = 5568586 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Liechti G, Kuru E, Packiam M, Hsu YP, Tekkam S, Hall E, Rittichier JT, VanNieuwenhze M, Brun YV, Maurelli AT | display-authors = 6 | title = Pathogenic Chlamydia Lack a Classical Sacculus but Synthesize a Narrow, Mid-cell Peptidoglycan Ring, Regulated by MreB, for Cell Division | journal = PLOS Pathogens | volume = 12 | issue = 5 | pages = e1005590 | date = May 2016 | pmid = 27144308 | pmc = 4856321 | doi = 10.1371/journal.ppat.1005590 | doi-access = free }}</ref> [[Prokaryote]]s carrying the ''mreB'' gene can also be [[helix|helical]] in shape. MreB has long been thought to form a helical filament underneath the [[cytoplasmic membrane]], however, this model has been brought into question by three recent publications showing that filaments cannot be seen by electron cryotomography and that GFP-MreB can be seen as patches moving around the cell circumference.  It has been shown to interact with several proteins that are proven to be involved in length growth (for instance [[Penicillin-binding proteins|PBP2]]). Therefore, it probably directs the synthesis and insertion of new [[peptidoglycan]] building units into the existing peptidoglycan layer to allow length growth of the bacteria.