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Modes of bacterial cell wall synthesis: combining localization analysis and protein‐protein interactions
Author(s) -
White Courtney L.,
Gober James W
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.24.1_supplement.lb144
Subject(s) - mreb , ftsz , microbiology and biotechnology , cell division , peptidoglycan , bacterial cell structure , penicillin binding proteins , cytoskeleton , actin , biology , chemistry , protein biosynthesis , lipid ii , cell , biochemistry , cell wall , bacterial protein , genetics , gene , bacteria
In rod‐shaped bacteria, a complex of morphogenetic proteins coordinates cell wall biosynthesis during both lateral growth and division. One subset of these proteins (MreBCD) guides lateral synthesis whereas another group (FtsZQW, etc.) coordinates septum formation. We have found that FtsW, an integral membrane protein in Caulobacter crescentu s, plays a novel dual role in both processes by interacting with critical components and regulators of peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis. Localization studies show that MreB actin cables collapse to irregular foci along the cell length upon FtsW ablation. This is mirrored by nearly identical changes in nascent PG synthesis, as measured by PG‐precursor labeling. Lateral patterns of PG synthesis, however, were uninterrupted by depletion of the essential cell division protein, FtsZ. Additionally, FtsW interacts with MreB actin and other morphogenetic complex components as inferred by two‐hybrid analysis. Our studies indicate that cell elongation may occur through two distinct modes of PG synthesis: (1) evenly distributed lateral synthesis directed by FtsW, and (2) new synthesis emanating from concentrated foci, directed by FtsZ. We hypothesize that FtsW and FtsZ interact with morphogenetic proteins in distinct functional ways, resulting in two discrete mechanisms of cell wall growth.