Link to bioRxiv paper: http://biorxiv.org/cgi/content/short/2020.07.23.217539v1?rss=1 Authors: Makela, J., Uphoff, S., Sherratt, D. Abstract: SummaryThe Escherichia coli structural maintenance of chromosomes complex, MukBEF, forms axial cores to chromosomes that determine their spatio-temporal organization. Here, we show that axial cores direct chromosome arms to opposite poles and generate the translational symmetry between newly replicated sister chromosomes. MatP, a replication terminus (ter) binding protein, prevents chromosome rotation in the longitudinal cell axis by displacing MukBEF from ter, thereby maintaining the linear shape of axial cores. During DNA replication, MukBEF-MatP action directs lagging strands towards the cell center, marked by accumulation of DNA-bound {beta}2-clamps in the wake of the replisome, in a process necessary for translational symmetry. Finally, the ancestral template DNA strand, propagated from previous generations, is preferentially inherited by the cell forming at the old pole, dependent on MukBEF-MatP. The work demonstrates how chromosome organization-segregation fosters non-random inheritance of genetic material and provides a framework for understanding how chromosome conformation and dynamics shape subcellular organization. HighlightsO_LILinear MukBEF axial cores are required for left-oriC-right chromosome organization C_LIO_LIMatP prevents longitudinal nucleoid rotation by linearizing the axial cores C_LIO_LIMukBEF axial cores direct lagging strands towards the cell center C_LIO_LIThe ancestral DNA strand is preferentially segregated to the older pole cell C_LI Copy rights belong to original authors. Visit the link for more info