Work

Inhibition of FtsZ polymerization by SulA, an inhibitor of septation in Escherichia coli

Year: 1998

Type: article

Abstract: The bacterial cell division protein FtsZ assembles into the cytokinetic Z ring that directs cytokinesis in prokaryotes. In Escherichia coli the formation of the Z ring is prevented by induction of the cell division inhibitor SulA (SfiA), a component of the SOS response. Here we show that a MalE-SulA fusion that retains this inhibitory function in vivo inhibits the GTPase activity and polymerization of FtsZ in vitro. MalE-SulA10, which does not block Z ring formation in vivo, is unable to inhibit the GTPase activity and polymerization in vitro. Furthermore, FtsZ114, which is refractory to SulA in vivo, is not inhibited by MalE-SulA. These results indicate that SulA blocks Z ring formation by blocking FtsZ polymerization.

Source: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

DOI: 10.1073/pnas.95.6.2885

Authors: Amit Mukherjee, Chune Cao, Joe Lutkenhaus

Institutions: University of Kansas Medical Center, Harvard University

Language: English

Topic: Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology

Subfield: Genetics

Field: Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute of General Medical Sciences

Awards: REGULATION OF CELL DIVISION, G5029983742, Regulation of Cell Division