Inhibition of FtsZ polymerization by SulA, an inhibitor of septation in Escherichia coli.
The bacterial cell division protein FtsZ assembles into the cytokinetic Z ring that directs cytokinesis in prokaryotes. In Escherichia coli the formation of the Z ring is prevented by induction of the cell division inhibitor SulA (SfiA), a component of the SOS response. Here we show that a MalE-SulA fusion that retains this inhibitory function in vivo inhibits the GTPase activity and polymerization of FtsZ in vitro. MalE-SulA10, which does not block Z ring formation in vivo, is unable to inhibit the GTPase activity and polymerization in vitro. Furthermore, FtsZ114, which is refractory to SulA in vivo, is not inhibited by MalE-SulA. These results indicate that SulA blocks Z ring formation by blocking FtsZ polymerization.
Mukherjee
A
A
Department of Microbiology, Molecular Genetics and Immunology, University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, KS 66160, USA.
Cao
C
C
Lutkenhaus
J
J
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002352:Carrier Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D002455:Cell Division; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000254:growth & development*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism; D058619:Maltose-Binding Proteins; D009004:Monosaccharide Transport Proteins; D033902:Periplasmic Binding Proteins; D011485:Protein Binding / Q000187:drug effects; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology
D018528:ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C071525:FtsZ protein, Bacteria; C461619:MalE protein, E coli; D058619:Maltose-Binding Proteins; D009004:Monosaccharide Transport Proteins; D033902:Periplasmic Binding Proteins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C461599:maltose transport system, E coli; C053139:sulA protein, E coli; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins