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Dynamic SpoIIIE assembly mediates septal membrane fission during Bacillus subtilis sporulation

Tinya C Fleming1, Jae Yen Shin, Sang-Hyuk Lee

  • 1Division of Biological Sciences, University of California at San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.

Genes & Development
|June 3, 2010
PubMed

Insights

SpoIIIE protein is essential for Bacillus subtilis cell division, forming a channel that separates daughter cell membranes during DNA transport. Its assembly at the cell midpoint is crucial for membrane fission and chromosome segregation.

Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Microbiology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • SpoIIIE is an FtsK-related protein crucial for chromosome segregation during Bacillus subtilis sporulation.
  • Proper cell division and membrane dynamics are vital for bacterial reproduction and survival.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of SpoIIIE in septal membrane fission and DNA transport.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of SpoIIIE assembly and its relationship with membrane dynamics.

Main Methods:

  • Membrane photobleaching and protoplast assays.
  • Time-lapse epifluorescence, TIRF microscopy, and PALM.
  • FRAP and biophysical modeling.

Main Results:

  • SpoIIIE is required for septal membrane fission, forming a channel that partitions daughter cell membranes.
  • A stable SpoIIIE complex assembly correlates with membrane fission and requires both transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains.
  • SpoIIIE transitions between assembled and disassembled oligomeric states.

Conclusions:

  • SpoIIIE assembly is a key driver of septal membrane fission during DNA translocation.
  • A novel model for SpoIIIE function in cell division and chromosome segregation is proposed.

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