Cellulose, a ubiquitous polysaccharide with critical roles in life, provides structural integrity to cells in plants and aids biofilm formation in many bacteria. Although bacterial cellulose biosynthesis is well studied in certain groups, its diversity in other lineages remains underexplored. Recent insights from filamentous streptomycetes reveal that cellulose is directly incorporated into the cell wall at growing tips, likely protecting hyphae during growth. This review examines cellulose biosynthesis, regulation, and secretion mechanisms in Streptomyces, and highlights how its structural organization supports distinct cellular functions. We also discuss the evolutionary context of this system. Together, these insights broaden our understanding of bacterial cellulose diversity and suggest that cellulose biosynthesis has evolved convergently to support different lifestyles, growth modes, and morphogenetic strategies.

Bacteria of the phylum Actinomycetota are extremely diverse: They inhabit niches ranging from soils and ocean sediments to the normal human microbiota, and they cause tuberculosis, one of the most pre...

Interactions between individuals are at the foundation of every community. Furthermore, multicellular behaviors can emerge when individuals come together. Microbes—bacteria, fungi, archaea, and parasi...