title: Metal-dependent SpoIIE oligomerization stabilizes FtsZ during asymmetric division in Bacillus subtilis.
abstract: SpoIIE is a bifunctional protein involved in asymmetric septum formation and in activation of the forespore compartment-specific transcription factor σF through dephosphorylation of SpoIIAA-P. The phosphatase activity of SpoIIE requires Mn2+ as a metal cofactor. Here, we show that the presence of a metal cofactor also influences SpoIIE oligomerization and asymmetric septum formation. Absence of Mn2+ from sporulation medium results in a delay of the formation of polar FtsZ-rings, similar to a spoIIE null mutant. We purified the entire cytoplasmic part of the SpoIIE protein, and show that the protein copurifies with bound metals. Metal binding both stimulates SpoIIE oligomerization, and results in the formation of larger oligomeric structures. The presence of SpoIIE oligomers reduces FtsZ GTP hydrolysis activity and stabilizes FtsZ polymers in a light scattering assay. Combined, these results indicate that metal binding is not just required for SpoIIE phosphatase activity but also is important for SpoIIE's role in asymmetric septum formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cendrowicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Anabela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Sousa Borges
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Malgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kopacz
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular Microbiology, Groningen Biomolecular Sciences and Biotechnology Institute, University of Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Dirk-Jan
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9439-9168
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Scheffers
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D006868:Hydrolysis; D008345:Manganese / Q000737:chemistry; D008670:Metals; D055503:Protein Multimerization / Q000187:drug effects; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C071525:FtsZ protein, Bacteria; D008670:Metals; C030069:spore-specific proteins, Bacillus; D008345:Manganese; D006160:Guanosine Triphosphate