Control of septum thickness by the curvature of SepF polymers

Wenzel, Michaela,1986Universiteit Van Amsterdam,University of Amsterdam,Chalmers tekniska högskola,Chalmers University of Technology (författare)

Gram-positive bacteria divide by forming a thick cross wall. How the thickness of this septal wall is controlled is unknown. In this type of bacteria, the key cell division protein FtsZ is anchored to the cell membrane by two proteins, FtsA and/or SepF. We have isolated SepF homologs from different bacterial species and found that they all polymerize into large protein rings with diameters varying from 19 to 44 nm. Interestingly, these values correlated well with the thickness of their septa. To test whether ring diameter determines septal thickness, we tried to construct different SepF chimeras with the purpose to manipulate the diameter of the SepF protein ring. This was indeed possible and confirmed that the conserved core domain of SepF regulates ring diameter. Importantly, when SepF chimeras with different diameters were expressed in the bacterial host Bacillus subtilis, the thickness of its septa changed accordingly. These results strongly support a model in which septal thickness is controlled by curved molecular clamps formed by SepF polymers attached to the leading edge of nascent septa. This also implies that the intrinsic shape of a protein polymer can function as a mold to shape the cell wall.

Gulsoy, Ilkay N. CelikUniversiteit Van Amsterdam,University of Amsterdam (författare)
Gao, YongqiangHarvard Medical School,Universiteit Van Amsterdam,University of Amsterdam (författare)
Teng, ZihaoUniversiteit Van Amsterdam,University of Amsterdam (författare)
Willemse, JoostUniversiteit Leiden (UL),Leiden University (UL) (författare)
Middelkamp, MartijnRijksuniversiteit Groningen,University of Groningen (författare)
van Rosmalen, Mariska G. M.Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) (författare)
Larsen, Per W. B.Universiteit Van Amsterdam,University of Amsterdam (författare)
van der Wel, Nicole N.Universiteit Van Amsterdam,University of Amsterdam (författare)
Wuite, Gijs J. L.Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (VU) (författare)
Roos, Wouter H.Rijksuniversiteit Groningen,University of Groningen (författare)
Hamoen, Leendert W.Universiteit Van Amsterdam,University of Amsterdam (författare)
Universiteit Van AmsterdamChalmers tekniska högskola (creator_code:org_t)

Ingår i:Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences118:20027-84241091-6490

Av författaren/redakt...: Wenzel, Michaela ...; Gulsoy, Ilkay N. ...; Gao, Yongqiang; Teng, Zihao; Willemse, Joost; Middelkamp, Mart ...; visa fler...; van Rosmalen, Ma ...; Larsen, Per W. B ...; van der Wel, Nic ...; Wuite, Gijs J. L ...; Roos, Wouter H.; Hamoen, Leendert ...; visa färre...

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