The Min system is not required for precise placement of the midcell Z ring in Bacillus subtilis.
In bacteria, the Min system plays a role in positioning the midcell division site by inhibiting the formation of the earliest precursor of cell division, the Z ring, at the cell poles. However, whether the Min system also contributes to establishing the precise placement of the midcell Z ring is unresolved. We show that the Z ring is positioned at midcell with a high degree of precision in Bacillus subtilis, and this is completely maintained in the absence of the Min system. Min is therefore not required for correct midcell Z ring placement in B. subtilis. Our results strongly support the idea that the primary role of the Min system is to block Z ring formation at the cell poles and that a separate mechanism must exist to ensure cell division occurs precisely at midcell.
Migocki
Margaret D
MD
School of Molecular and Microbial Biosciences, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia.
Freeman
Marcelle K
MK
Wake
R Gerry
RG
Harry
Elizabeth J
EJ
D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000166:cytology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D002455:Cell Division / Q000502:physiology; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C071525:FtsZ protein, Bacteria; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; C080466:MinC protein, Bacteria; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C054562:yellow fluorescent protein, Bacteria