Open AccessModification of cell wall polysaccharide guides cell division in Streptococcus mutans
Author(s) -
Svetlana Zamakhaeva,
Catherine T. Chaton,
Jeffrey S. Rush,
Sowmya Ajay Castro,
Cameron W. Kenner,
Alexander E. Yarawsky,
Andrew B. Herr,
Nina M. van Sorge,
Helge C. Dorfmueller,
Gregory I. Frolenkov,
Konstantin V. Korotkov
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
nature chemical biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.412
H-Index - 216
eISSN - 1552-4469
pISSN - 1552-4450
DOI - 10.1038/s41589-021-00803-9
Subject(s) - ftsz , autolysin , cell division , peptidoglycan , microbiology and biotechnology , streptococcus mutans , cell wall , cell , biology , mutant , polysaccharide , chemistry , biochemistry , bacteria , genetics , gene
In ovoid-shaped, Gram-positive bacteria, MapZ guides FtsZ-ring positioning at cell equators. The cell wall of the ovococcus Streptococcus mutans contains peptidoglycan decorated with serotype c carbohydrates (SCCs). In the present study, we identify the major cell separation autolysin AtlA as an SCC-binding protein. AtlA binding to SCC is attenuated by the glycerol phosphate (GroP) modification. Using fluorescently labeled AtlA constructs, we mapped SCC distribution on the streptococcal surface, revealing enrichment of GroP-deficient immature SCCs at the cell poles and equators. The immature SCCs co-localize with MapZ at the equatorial rings throughout the cell cycle. In GroP-deficient mutants, AtlA is mislocalized, resulting in dysregulated cellular autolysis. These mutants display morphological abnormalities associated with MapZ mislocalization, leading to FtsZ-ring misplacement. Altogether, our data support a model in which maturation of a cell wall polysaccharide provides the molecular cues for the recruitment of cell division machinery, ensuring proper daughter cell separation and FtsZ-ring positioning.