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A vital stain for studying membrane dynamics in bacteria: a novel mechanism controlling septation during Bacillus subtilis sporulation
Author(s) -
Pogliano Joe,
Osborne Nick,
Sharp Marc D.,
AbanesDe Mello Angelica,
Perez Ana,
Sun YaLin,
Pogliano Kit
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
molecular microbiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.857
H-Index - 247
eISSN - 1365-2958
pISSN - 0950-382X
DOI - 10.1046/j.1365-2958.1999.01255.x
Subject(s) - biology , bacillus subtilis , cell division , peptidoglycan , microbiology and biotechnology , biogenesis , asymmetric cell division , vital stain , spore , endospore , sigma factor , stain , biophysics , bacteria , biochemistry , cell wall , cell , genetics , staining , escherichia coli , gene , rna polymerase
At the onset of sporulation in Bacillus subtilis , two potential division sites are assembled at each pole, one of which will be used to synthesize the asymmetrically positioned sporulation septum. Using the vital stain FM 4‐64 to label the plasma membrane of living cells, we examined the fate of these potential division sites in wild‐type cells and found that, immediately after the formation of the sporulation septum, a partial septum was frequently synthesized within the mother cell at the second potential division site. Using time‐lapse deconvolution microscopy, we were able to watch these partial septa first appear and then disappear during sporulation. Septal dissolution was dependent on σ E activity and was partially inhibited in mutants lacking the σ E ‐controlled proteins SpoIID, SpoIIM and SpoIIP, which may play a role in mediating the degradation of septal peptidoglycan. Our results support a model in which σ E inhibits division at the second potential division site by two distinct mechanisms: inhibition of septal biogenesis and the degradation of partial septa formed before σ E activation.