scholarly journals Localization and Function of Early Cell Division Proteins in Filamentous Escherichia coli Cells Lacking Phosphatidylethanolamine

1998 ◽  
Vol 180 (16) ◽  
pp. 4252-4257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eugenia Mileykovskaya ◽  
Qin Sun ◽  
William Margolin ◽  
William Dowhan
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Ring Structure ◽  
Whole Cells ◽  
Nucleation Sites ◽  
Spiral Structures ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
And Function ◽  
Insight Into

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli cells that contain thepss-93 null mutation are completely deficient in the major membrane phospholipid phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). Such cells are defective in cell division. To gain insight into how a phospholipid defect could block cytokinesis, we used fluorescence techniques on whole cells to investigate which step of the cell division cycle was affected. Several proteins essential for early steps in cytokinesis, such as FtsZ, ZipA, and FtsA, were able to localize as bands to potential division sites in pss-93 filaments, indicating that the generation and localization of potential division sites was not grossly affected by the absence of PE. However, there was no evidence of constriction at most of these potential division sites. FtsZ and green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions to FtsZ and ZipA often formed spiral structures in these mutant filaments. This is the first report of spirals formed by wild-type FtsZ expressed at normal levels and by ZipA-GFP. The results suggest that the lack of PE may affect the correct interaction of FtsZ with membrane nucleation sites and alter FtsZ ring structure so as to prevent or delay its constriction.

scholarly journals The C-Terminal Domain of MinC Inhibits Assembly of the Z Ring in Escherichia coli

2006 ◽  
Vol 189 (1) ◽  
pp. 236-243 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daisuke Shiomi ◽  
William Margolin
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Additional Function ◽  
Ring Assembly ◽  
C Terminus ◽  
Min Proteins ◽  
Z Ring ◽  
Ftsz Assembly ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT In Escherichia coli, the Min system, consisting of three proteins, MinC, MinD, and MinE, negatively regulates FtsZ assembly at the cell poles, helping to ensure that the Z ring will assemble only at midcell. Of the three Min proteins, MinC is sufficient to inhibit Z-ring assembly. By binding to MinD, which is mostly localized at the membrane near the cell poles, MinC is sequestered away from the cell midpoint, increasing the probability of Z-ring assembly there. Previously, it has been shown that the two halves of MinC have two distinct functions. The N-terminal half is sufficient for inhibition of FtsZ assembly, whereas the C-terminal half of the protein is required for binding to MinD as well as to a component of the division septum. In this study, we discovered that overproduction of the C-terminal half of MinC (MinC122-231) could also inhibit cell division and that this inhibition was at the level of Z-ring disassembly and dependent on MinD. We also found that fusing green fluorescent protein to either the N-terminal end of MinC122-231, the C terminus of full-length MinC, or the C terminus of MinC122-231 perturbed MinC function, which may explain why cell division inhibition by MinC122-231 was not detected previously. These results suggest that the C-terminal half of MinC has an additional function in the regulation of Z-ring assembly.

scholarly journals Structural Determinants Required To Target Penicillin-Binding Protein 3 to the Septum of Escherichia coli

2004 ◽  
Vol 186 (18) ◽  
pp. 6110-6117 ◽  
Author(s):  
André Piette ◽  
Claudine Fraipont ◽  
Tanneke den Blaauwen ◽  
Mirjam E. G. Aarsman ◽  
Soumya Pastoret ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Binding Protein ◽  
Penicillin Binding Protein ◽  
Structural Determinants ◽  
Membrane Anchor ◽  
Interaction Sites ◽  
Division Site ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT In Escherichia coli, cell division is mediated by the concerted action of about 12 proteins that assemble at the division site to presumably form a complex called the divisome. Among these essential division proteins, the multimodular class B penicillin-binding protein 3 (PBP3), which is specifically involved in septal peptidoglycan synthesis, consists of a short intracellular M1-R23 peptide fused to a F24-L39 membrane anchor that is linked via a G40-S70 peptide to an R71-I236 noncatalytic module itself linked to a D237-V577 catalytic penicillin-binding module. On the basis of localization analyses of PBP3 mutants fused to green fluorescent protein by fluorescence microscopy, it appears that the first 56 amino acid residues of PBP3 containing the membrane anchor and the G40-E56 peptide contain the structural determinants required to target the protein to the cell division site and that none of the putative protein interaction sites present in the noncatalytic module are essential for the positioning of the protein to the division site. Based on the effects of increasing production of FtsQ or FtsW on the division of cells expressing PBP3 mutants, it is suggested that these proteins could interact. We postulate that FtsQ could play a role in regulating the assembly of these division proteins at the division site and the activity of the peptidoglycan assembly machineries within the divisome.

scholarly journals Cell Division in Escherichia coli: Role of FtsL Domains in Septal Localization, Function, and Oligomerization

2000 ◽  
Vol 182 (1) ◽  
pp. 116-129 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Marc Ghigo ◽  
Jon Beckwith
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Sodium Dodecyl ◽  
Coiled Coil ◽  
Heptad Repeat ◽  
Periplasmic Domain ◽  
Membrane Spanning ◽  
Septal Localization ◽  
And Function

ABSTRACT In Escherichia coli, nine essential cell division proteins are known to localize to the division septum. FtsL is a 13-kDa bitopic membrane protein with a short cytoplasmic N-terminal domain, a membrane-spanning segment, and a periplasmic domain that has a repeated heptad motif characteristic of leucine zippers. Here, we identify the requirements for FtsL septal localization and function. We used green fluorescent protein fusions to FtsL proteins where domains of FtsL had been exchanged with analogous domains from either itsHaemophilus influenzae homologue or the unrelated MalF protein to show that both the membrane-spanning segment and the periplasmic domain of FtsL are required for localization to the division site. Mutagenesis of the periplasmic heptad repeat motif severely impaired both localization and function as well as the ability of FtsL to drive the formation of sodium dodecyl sulfate-resistant multimers in vitro. These results are consistent with the predicted propensity of the FtsL periplasmic domain to adopt a coiled-coiled structure. This coiled-coil motif is conserved in all gram-negative and gram-positive FtsL homologues identified so far. Our data suggest that most of the FtsL molecule is a helical coiled coil involved in FtsL multimerization.

scholarly journals Localization of Cell Division Protein FtsK to theEscherichia coli Septum and Identification of a Potential N-Terminal Targeting Domain

1998 ◽  
Vol 180 (5) ◽  
pp. 1296-1304 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xuan-chuan Yu ◽  
Anthony H. Tran ◽  
Qin Sun ◽  
William Margolin
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Bacillus Subtilis ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Late Stage ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Mutant Protein ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cell Division Protein ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT Escherichia coli cell division protein FtsK is a homolog of Bacillus subtilis SpoIIIE and appears to act late in the septation process. To determine whether FtsK localizes to the septum, we fused three N-terminal segments of FtsK to green fluorescent protein (GFP) and expressed them in E. colicells. All three segments were sufficient to target GFP to the septum, suggesting that as little as the first 15% of the protein is a septum-targeting domain. Localized fluorescence was detectable only in cells containing a visible midcell constriction, suggesting that FtsK targeting normally occurs only at a late stage of septation. The largest two FtsK-GFP fusions were able at least partially to complement the ftsK44 mutation in trans, suggesting that the N- and C-terminal domains are functionally separable. However, overproduction of FtsK-GFP resulted in a late-septation phenotype similar to that of ftsK44, with fluorescent dots localized at the blocked septa, suggesting that high levels of the N-terminal domain may still localize but also inhibit FtsK activity. Interestingly, under these conditions fluorescence was also sometimes localized as bands at potential division sites, suggesting that FtsK-GFP is capable of targeting very early. In addition, FtsK-GFP localized to potential division sites in cephalexin-induced andftsI mutant filaments, further supporting the idea that FtsK-GFP can target early, perhaps by recognizing FtsZ directly. This hypothesis was supported by the failure of FtsK-GFP to localize inftsZ mutant filaments. In ftsK44 mutant filaments, FtsA and FtsZ were usually localized to potential division sites between the blocked septa. When the ftsK44 mutation was incorporated into the FtsK-GFP fusions, localization to midcell ranged between very weak and undetectable, suggesting that the FtsK44 mutant protein is defective in targeting the septum.

scholarly journals Septal Localization of FtsQ, an Essential Cell Division Protein in Escherichia coli

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (2) ◽  
pp. 521-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joseph C. Chen ◽  
David S. Weiss ◽  
Jean-Marc Ghigo ◽  
Jon Beckwith
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Fusion Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Single Copy ◽  
Division Site ◽  
Periplasmic Domain ◽  
Membrane Spanning ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Septal Localization

ABSTRACT Septation in Escherichia coli requires several gene products. One of these, FtsQ, is a simple bitopic membrane protein with a short cytoplasmic N terminus, a membrane-spanning segment, and a periplasmic domain. We have constructed a merodiploid strain that expresses both FtsQ and the fusion protein green fluorescent protein (GFP)-FtsQ from single-copy chromosomal genes. The gfp-ftsQgene complements a null mutation in ftsQ. Fluorescence microscopy revealed that GFP-FtsQ localizes to the division site. Replacing the cytoplasmic and transmembrane domains of FtsQ with alternative membrane anchors did not prevent the localization of the GFP fusion protein, while replacing the periplasmic domain did, suggesting that the periplasmic domain is necessary and sufficient for septal targeting. GFP-FtsQ localization to the septum depended on the cell division proteins FtsZ and FtsA, which are cytoplasmic, but not on FtsL and FtsI, which are bitopic membrane proteins with comparatively large periplasmic domains. In addition, the septal localization of ZipA apparently did not require functional FtsQ. Our results indicate that FtsQ is an intermediate recruit to the division site.

scholarly journals Escherichia coli Division Inhibitor MinCD Blocks Septation by Preventing Z-Ring Formation

2001 ◽  
Vol 183 (22) ◽  
pp. 6630-6635 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastien Pichoff ◽  
Joe Lutkenhaus
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Direct Interaction ◽  
Ring Formation ◽  
Ring Assembly ◽  
Z Ring ◽  
Alternative Fixation ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT The min system spatially regulates division through the topological regulation of MinCD, an inhibitor of cell division. MinCD was previously shown to inhibit division by preventing assembly of the Z ring (E. Bi and J. Lutkenhaus, J. Bacteriol. 175:1118–1125, 1993); however, this was questioned in a recent report (S. S. Justice, J. Garcia-Lara, and L. I. Rothfield, Mol. Microbiol. 37:410–423, 2000) which indicated that MinCD acted after Z-ring formation and prevented the recruitment of FtsA to the Z ring. This discrepancy was due in part to alternative fixation conditions. We have therefore reinvestigated the action of MinCD and avoided fixation by using green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusions to division proteins. MinCD prevented the localization of both FtsZ-GFP and ZipA-GFP, consistent with it preventing Z-ring assembly. Consistent with a direct interaction between FtsZ and the MinCD inhibitor, we find that increased FtsZ, but not FtsA, suppresses MinCD-induced lethality. Furthermore, strains carrying various alleles offtsZ, selected on the basis of resistance to the inhibitor SulA, displayed variable resistance to MinCD. These results are consistent with FtsZ as the target of MinCD and confirm that this inhibitor prevents Z-ring assembly.

Zebrafish runx1 promoter-EGFP transgenics mark discrete sites of definitive blood progenitors

Blood ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 113 (6) ◽  
pp. 1241-1249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enid Yi Ni Lam ◽  
Jackie Y. M. Chau ◽  
Maggie L. Kalev-Zylinska ◽  
Timothy M. Fountaine ◽  
R. Scott Mead ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Blood Island ◽  
Transgenic Lines ◽  
Complex Regulation ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
And Function ◽  
Definitive Hematopoiesis ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract The transcription factor Runx1 is essential for the development of definitive hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) during vertebrate embryogenesis and is transcribed from 2 promoters, P1 and P2, generating 2 major Runx1 isoforms. We have created 2 stable runx1 promoter zebrafish-transgenic lines that provide insight into the roles of the P1 and P2 isoforms during the establishment of definitive hematopoiesis. The Tg(runx1P1:EGFP) line displays fluorescence in the posterior blood island, where definitive erythromyeloid progenitors develop. The Tg(runx1P2:EGFP) line marks definitive HSCs in the aorta-gonad-mesonephros, with enhanced green fluorescent protein–labeled cells later populating the pronephros and thymus. This suggests that a function of runx1 promoter switching is associated with the establishment of discrete definitive blood progenitor compartments. These runx1 promoter–transgenic lines are novel tools for the study of Runx1 regulation and function in normal and malignant hematopoiesis. The ability to visualize and isolate fluorescently labeled HSCs should contribute to further elucidating the complex regulation of HSC development.

scholarly journals Cell Division Defects in Escherichia coli Deficient in the Multidrug Efflux Transporter AcrEF-TolC

2005 ◽  
Vol 187 (22) ◽  
pp. 7815-7825 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sze Yi Lau ◽  
Helen I. Zgurskaya
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Division ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Efflux Transporter ◽  
Multidrug Efflux ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Membrane Fusion Protein ◽  
Green Fluorescent ◽  
Multiple Drugs ◽  
In Cells

ABSTRACT The Escherichia coli chromosome contains several operons encoding confirmed and predicted multidrug transporters. Among these transporters only the inactivation of components of the AcrAB-TolC complex leads to substantial changes in susceptibility to multiple drugs. This observation prompted a conclusion that other transporters are silent or expressed at levels insufficient to contribute to multidrug resistance phenotype. We found that increased expression of AcrA, the periplasmic membrane fusion protein, is toxic only in cells lacking the multidrug efflux transporter AcrEF. AcrEF-deficient cells with increased expression of AcrA have a severe cell division defect that results in cell filamentation (>50 μm). Similar defects were obtained in cells lacking the outer membrane channel TolC, which acts with AcrEF, suggesting that cell filamentation is caused by the loss of AcrEF function. Green fluorescent protein-AcrA fusion studies showed that in normal and filamentous cells AcrA is associated with membranes in a confined manner and that this localization is not affected by the lack of AcrEF. Similarly, the structure and composition of membranes were normal in filamentous cells. Fluorescence microscopy showed that the filamentous AcrEF-deficient E. coli cells are defective in chromosome condensation and segregation. Our results suggest that the E. coli AcrEF transporter is expressed under standard laboratory conditions and plays an important role in the normal maintenance of cell division.

scholarly journals MinDE-Dependent Pole-to-Pole Oscillation of Division Inhibitor MinC in Escherichia coli

1999 ◽  
Vol 181 (20) ◽  
pp. 6419-6424 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Raskin ◽  
Piet A. J. de Boer
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Fluorescent Protein ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Ring Structure ◽  
Oscillatory Behavior ◽  
Membrane Association ◽  
Ftsz Ring ◽  
Ring Assembly ◽  
Site Of Action ◽  
Green Fluorescent

ABSTRACT By inhibiting FtsZ ring formation near the cell ends, the MinC protein plays a critical role in proper positioning of the division apparatus in Escherichia coli. MinC activity requires that of MinD, and the MinE peptide provides topological specificity by suppressing MinC-MinD-mediated division inhibition specifically at the middle of the cell. We recently presented evidence that MinE not only accumulates in an FtsZ-independent ring structure at the cell’s middle but also imposes a unique dynamic localization pattern upon MinD in which the latter accumulates alternately in either one of the cell halves in what appears to be a rapidly oscillating membrane association-dissociation cycle. Here we show that functional green fluorescent protein-MinC displays a very similar oscillatory behavior which is dependent on both MinD and MinE and independent of FtsZ. The results support a model in which MinD recruits MinC to its site of action and in which FtsZ ring assembly at each of the cell ends is blocked in an intermittent and alternate fashion.

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