2007/02/09 by Joe Lutkenhaus · 1 citation
Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Environmental Science · #Bacterial Genetics and Biotechnology #Bacteriophages and microbial interactions #RNA and protein synthesis mechanisms
paper · doi:10.1146/annurev.biochem.75.103004.142652
The positioning of a cytoskeletal element that dictates the division plane is a fundamental problem in biology. The assembly and positioning of this cytoskeletal element has to be coordinated with DNA segregation and cell growth to ensure that equal-sized progeny cells are produced, each with a copy of the chromosome. In most prokaryotes, cytokinesis involves positioning a Z ring assembled from FtsZ, the ancestral homologue of tubulin. The position of the Z ring is determined by a gradient of negative regulators of Z-ring assembly. In Escherichia coli, the Min system consists of three proteins that cooperate to position the Z ring through a fascinating oscillation, which inhibits the formation of the Z ring away from midcell. Additional gradients of negative regulators of FtsZ assembly are used by E. coli and other bacteria to achieve spatial control of Z-ring assembly.