Recent studies have provided mechanistic insight into the cell cycle of coccoid bacteria. In this Review, Pinho, Kjos and Veening discuss our current understanding of the molecular mechanisms orchestrating peptidoglycan synthesis, cell division and chromosome segregation inStaphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumoniae.
- Mariana G. Pinho
- Morten Kjos
- Jan-Willem Veening