title: Determinants for the subcellular localization and function of a nonessential SEDS protein.
abstract: The Bacillus subtilis SpoVE integral membrane protein is essential for the heat resistance of spores, probably because of its involvement in spore peptidoglycan synthesis. We found that an SpoVE-yellow fluorescent protein (YFP) fusion protein becomes localized to the forespore during the earliest stages of engulfment, and this pattern is maintained throughout sporulation. SpoVE belongs to a well-conserved family of proteins that includes the FtsW and RodA proteins of B. subtilis. These proteins are involved in bacterial shape determination, although their function is not known. FtsW is necessary for the formation of the asymmetric septum in sporulation, and we found that an FtsW-YFP fusion localized to this structure prior to the initiation of engulfment in a nonoverlapping pattern with SpoVE-cyan fluorescent protein. Since FtsW and RodA are essential for normal growth, it has not been possible to identify loss-of-function mutations that would greatly facilitate analysis of their function. We took advantage of the fact that SpoVE is not required for growth to obtain point mutations in SpoVE that block the development of spore heat resistance but that allow normal protein expression and targeting to the forespore. These mutant proteins will be invaluable tools for future experiments aimed at elucidating the function of members of the SEDS ("shape, elongation, division, and sporulation") family of proteins.
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa, Av. da República, Apartado 127, 2781-901 Oeiras, Portugal.
authors.forename: Gonçalo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Real
authors.forename: Allison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fay
authors.forename: Avigdor
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eldar
authors.forename: Sérgio M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Adriano O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Henriques
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dworkin
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005838:Genotype; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism*; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D009154:Mutation; D010957:Plasmids; D017354:Point Mutation; D018272:Porins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D018272:Porins; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; C064532:SpoVE protein, Bacillus subtilis; C061684:FtsW protein, Bacteria