FtsZ-dependent cytokinesis

Definition

Target type: biologicalprocess

A cytokinesis process that involves a set of conserved proteins including FtsZ, and results in the formation of two similarly sized and shaped cells. [GOC:mah, ISBN:0815108893, PMID:12626683]

FtsZ-dependent cytokinesis is a fundamental process in bacterial cell division. It involves the assembly of a contractile ring composed primarily of the tubulin-like protein FtsZ at the future division site. This process can be divided into several key steps:

1. **Initiation:** The formation of the FtsZ ring is initiated at a specific location on the cell membrane, often determined by Min proteins that oscillate along the length of the cell, preventing FtsZ polymerization at the poles. The precise positioning of the ring is also influenced by other proteins, such as the DNA-binding protein SlmA, which ensures that division occurs away from the chromosome.

2. **Assembly:** Once the initiation site is defined, FtsZ monomers assemble into protofilaments that interact laterally to form a ring-like structure. FtsZ polymerization is dynamic, with monomers constantly associating and dissociating from the ring, allowing for its expansion and contraction. This process is regulated by various factors, including GTP hydrolysis and interactions with other proteins.

3. **Contraction:** The FtsZ ring undergoes a constriction process that drives the inward invagination of the cell membrane. This contraction is not powered by FtsZ itself, but rather by the recruitment of other proteins to the ring. These proteins include:
* **ZipA:** A membrane-anchoring protein that links FtsZ to the cell membrane, providing structural support.
* **FtsA:** An actin-like protein that interacts with FtsZ and helps drive the constriction process.
* **Other proteins:** A complex network of other proteins, including FtsK, FtsQ, FtsL, and FtsB, contribute to the division process by regulating the activity of FtsZ and facilitating cell wall synthesis.

4. **Septum formation:** As the FtsZ ring constricts, it recruits peptidoglycan synthesis machinery, including enzymes like penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs), to the division site. These enzymes synthesize new peptidoglycan, a complex polymer that forms the rigid cell wall of bacteria. The synthesis of new peptidoglycan at the septum allows the membrane to invaginate further, eventually separating the two daughter cells.

5. **Completion:** The constriction of the FtsZ ring and the synthesis of the septum eventually lead to the complete separation of the two daughter cells. The FtsZ ring disassembles, and the daughter cells inherit a copy of the bacterial chromosome and other cellular components.

This intricate process ensures the accurate and efficient division of bacterial cells, allowing for the propagation of bacterial populations.'
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Proteins (1)

Compounds (5)