Condensation of FtsZ filaments can drive bacterial cell division

Ganhui Lan, Brian R. Daniels, Terrence M. Dobrowsky, Denis Wirtz, Sean X. Sun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

106 Scopus citations

Abstract

Forces are important in biological systems for accomplishing key cell functions, such as motility, organelle transport, and cell division. Currently, known force generation mechanisms typically involve motor proteins. In bacterial cells, no known motor proteins are involved in cell division. Instead, a division ring (Z-ring) consists of mostly FtsZ, FtsA, and ZipA is used to exerting a contractile force. The mechanism of force generation in bacterial cell division is unknown. Using computational modeling, we show that Z-ring formation results from the colocalization of FtsZ and FtsA mediated by the favorable alignment of FtsZ polymers. The model predicts that the Z-ring undergoes a condensation transition from a lowdensity state to a high-density state and generates a sufficient contractile force to achieve division. FtsZ GTP hydrolysis facilitates monomer turnover during the condensation transition, but does not directly generate forces. In vivo fluorescence measurements show that FtsZ density increases during division, in accord with model results. The mechanism is akin to van der Waals picture of gas-liquid condensation, and shows that organisms can exploit microphase transitions to generate mechanical forces.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)121-126
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume106
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 6 2009

Keywords

  • Force generation
  • Modeling
  • Z-ring

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General

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