The division inhibitor EzrA contains a seven-residue patch required for maintaining the dynamic nature of the medial FtsZ ring

J Bacteriol. 2007 Dec;189(24):9001-10. doi: 10.1128/JB.01172-07. Epub 2007 Sep 14.

Abstract

The essential cytoskeletal protein FtsZ assembles into a ring-like structure at the nascent division site and serves as a scaffold for the assembly of the prokaryotic division machinery. We previously characterized EzrA as an inhibitor of FtsZ assembly in Bacillus subtilis. EzrA interacts directly with FtsZ to prevent aberrant FtsZ assembly and cytokinesis at cell poles. EzrA also concentrates at the cytokinetic ring in an FtsZ-dependent manner, although its precise role at this position is not known. Here, we identified a conserved patch of amino acids in the EzrA C terminus that is essential for localization to the FtsZ ring. Mutations in this patch (designated the "QNR patch") abolish EzrA localization to midcell but do not significantly affect EzrA's ability to inhibit FtsZ assembly at cell poles. ezrA QNR patch mutant cells exhibit stabilized FtsZ assembly at midcell and are significantly longer than wild-type cells, despite lacking extra FtsZ rings. These results indicate that EzrA has two distinct activities in vivo: (i) preventing aberrant FtsZ ring formation at cell poles through inhibition of de novo FtsZ assembly and (ii) maintaining proper FtsZ assembly dynamics within the medial FtsZ ring, thereby rendering it sensitive to the factors responsible for coordinating cell growth and cell division.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Motifs / genetics
  • Amino Acid Motifs / physiology*
  • Bacillus subtilis / cytology
  • Bacillus subtilis / genetics
  • Bacillus subtilis / physiology*
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Division / genetics
  • Cell Division / physiology*
  • Conserved Sequence
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mutation, Missense
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs / genetics
  • Protein Interaction Domains and Motifs / physiology*

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • EzrA protein, Bacillus subtilis
  • FtsZ protein, Bacteria