title: The Escherichia coli cell division protein FtsW is required to recruit its cognate transpeptidase, FtsI (PBP3), to the division site.
abstract: The bacterial cell division protein FtsW has been suggested to perform two functions: stabilize the FtsZ cytokinetic ring, and facilitate septal peptidoglycan synthesis by the transpeptidase FtsI (penicillin-binding protein 3). We show here that depleting Escherichia coli cells of FtsW had little effect on the abundance of FtsZ rings but abrogated recruitment of FtsI to potential division sites. Analysis of FtsW localization confirmed and extended these results; septal localization of FtsW required FtsZ, FtsA, FtsQ, and FtsL but not FtsI. Thus, FtsW is a late recruit to the division site and is essential for subsequent recruitment of its cognate transpeptidase FtsI but not for stabilization of FtsZ rings. We suggest that a primary function of FtsW homologues--which are found in almost all bacteria and appear to work in conjunction with dedicated transpeptidases involved in division, elongation, or sporulation--is to recruit their cognate transpeptidases to the correct subcellular location.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Keri L N
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Mercer
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Weiss
mesh_terms: D019677:Artificial Gene Fusion; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D002455:Cell Division; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000378:metabolism*; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D006602:Hexosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002267:Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase; D016296:Mutagenesis; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D046928:Peptidoglycan Glycosyltransferase; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C478704:FtsI protein, E coli; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; C061684:FtsW protein, Bacteria; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; D046928:Peptidoglycan Glycosyltransferase; D002267:Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase