Fig. 7: Deployment of DGC and/or PDEs to distinct subcellular locations establishes deterministic programs hardwired into the cell cycle to generate or minimize phenotypic heterogeneity.

In M. xanthus, DmxA (blue) localizes to the membrane. During division, it localizes to and is switched on at the division site creating a c-di-GMP burst that ensures similar daughter cells. In C. crescentus, the flagellated, swarmer cell has low c-di-GMP due to the activity of the PDE PdeA at the flagellated pole (green). Upon differentiation to the surface-associated stalked cell, the c-di-GMP level increases due to the activity of the DGC PleD at the stalked pole (blue). In predivisional cells, PdeA and PleD localize to opposite poles, giving rise to a swarmer cell with low c-di-GMP and a stalked cell with high c-di-GMP upon division. In P. aeruginosa/S. putrefaciens, the flagellated, swimming cell, has low c-di-GMP due to the activity of the PDE Pch/PdeB at the flagellated pole (green). Upon surface contact, c-di-GMP increases, but the involved DGC(s) remain to be identified. High c-di-GMP stimulates T4P formation and surface adhesion. During division, the flagellated pole inherits the PDE, creating a flagellated, swimming daughter with low c-di-GMP and a surface-adhered, piliated daughter with high c-di-GMP.