Open AccessEffects of tubulin assembly inhibitors on cell division in prokaryotes in vivo
Author(s) -
Sarcina Mary,
Mullineaux Conrad W
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.2000.tb09314.x
Subject(s) - ftsz , tubulin , cell division , mutant , biology , escherichia coli , bacterial cell structure , microbiology and biotechnology , microtubule , cell , biochemistry , bacteria , gene , genetics
The bacterial cell division protein FtsZ is a structural analogue of tubulin. Bacterial mutants in which the ftsZ gene is inactivated are unable to divide. Numerous inhibitors of tubulin assembly are known, some of which are used as fungicides. The strong structural homology between FtsZ and tubulin raises the possibility that some of these inhibitors could affect bacterial cell division. Here we report that the tubulin assembly inhibitors thiabendazole and 2‐methylbenzimidazole cause cell elongation in Escherichia coli and cyanobacteria.