Membrane-bound MinDE complex acts as a toggle switch that drives Min oscillation coupled to cytoplasmic depletion of MinD
Abstract
The Min system of Escherichia coli uses the proteins MinD and MinE to form a standing wave oscillator on the membrane that prevents cell division at the cell poles. Using purified MinD and MinE, several dynamic patterns have been previously reconstituted on lipid bilayers. However, these dissimilar patterns occur under different reaction settings; therefore, the underlying mechanistic principles are unclear. By using a limiting supply of MinD, we reproduced standing wave oscillation on a flat bilayer. We find that periodic depletion of active MinD from solution is essential for the standing wave. Also, the MinD-to-MinE ratio on the bilayer acts as a toggle switch between membrane-binding and -release by MinD, which drives the oscillation.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- March 2016
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1600644113
- Bibcode:
- 2016PNAS..113E1479V