FtsEX acts on FtsA to regulate divisome assembly and activity
Abstract
Understanding divisome assembly and activation has become the focus of research on bacterial cytokinesis. However, very little is known about how this process is regulated. Here, we find that FtsEX (an ATP-binding cassette transporter-like complex) acts on the bacterial actin homolog FtsA to regulate divisome assembly and function in Escherichia coli. Our results suggest that FtsEX antagonizes FtsA polymerization to promote divisome assembly and continual ATP hydrolysis by FtsEX is needed for the divisome to synthesize septal peptidoglycan. Because FtsEX is also required for cell wall hydrolysis at the septum, our study indicates that FtsEX couples cell wall synthesis and hydrolysis at the septum by acting through FtsA. Our study also implies that unpolymerized FtsA is favored for division and FtsW plays a critical role in divisome activation.
- Publication:
-
Proceedings of the National Academy of Science
- Pub Date:
- August 2016
- DOI:
- 10.1073/pnas.1606656113
- Bibcode:
- 2016PNAS..113E5052D