TY - JOUR
T1 - Transcription factor SpoOA switches the localization of the cell division protein FtsZ from a medial to a bipolar pattern in Bacillus subtilis
AU - Levin, Petra Anne
AU - Losick, Richard
PY - 1996/2/15
Y1 - 1996/2/15
N2 - Entry into sporulation by the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis is governed by two transcription factors, Spo0A and σH, and involves a switch in the site of division from a medial to a polar location. We report that at the onset of sporulation, assembly of the cell division protein FtsZ shifts from midcell to potential division sites near both poles. The switch to a bipolar pattern of FtsZ localization is dependent on Spo0A. Additionally, synthesis of an activated form of Spo0A during growth artificially activates the switch in FtsZ localization and results in the formation of polar septa. The σH factor, on the other hand, is dispensable for the switch in the position of the FtsZ assembly site, although it is required for formation of the polar septum. Our results suggest that during the transition from growth to sporulation, Spo0A induces the expression of genes that suppress FtsZ assembly at the midcell site and activate sites at both poles, whereas σH induces genes required for a subsequent step in cytokinesis.
AB - Entry into sporulation by the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis is governed by two transcription factors, Spo0A and σH, and involves a switch in the site of division from a medial to a polar location. We report that at the onset of sporulation, assembly of the cell division protein FtsZ shifts from midcell to potential division sites near both poles. The switch to a bipolar pattern of FtsZ localization is dependent on Spo0A. Additionally, synthesis of an activated form of Spo0A during growth artificially activates the switch in FtsZ localization and results in the formation of polar septa. The σH factor, on the other hand, is dispensable for the switch in the position of the FtsZ assembly site, although it is required for formation of the polar septum. Our results suggest that during the transition from growth to sporulation, Spo0A induces the expression of genes that suppress FtsZ assembly at the midcell site and activate sites at both poles, whereas σH induces genes required for a subsequent step in cytokinesis.
KW - Bacillus subtilis
KW - Cell division
KW - FtsZ
KW - Immunofluorescence microscopy
KW - Sporulation
KW - Transcription factor
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0029918758&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1101/gad.10.4.478
DO - 10.1101/gad.10.4.478
M3 - Article
C2 - 8600030
AN - SCOPUS:0029918758
SN - 0890-9369
VL - 10
SP - 478
EP - 488
JO - Genes and Development
JF - Genes and Development
IS - 4
ER -