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Updated: May 10, 2026
12:04
FtsZ Polymerization Assays: Simple Protocols and Considerations
Published on: November 16, 2013
The Nitrosopumilus maritimus CdvB, but not FtsZ, assembles into polymers
Kian-Hong Ng1, Vinayaka Srinivas, Ramanujam Srinivasan
1Cell Division Laboratory, Temasek Life Sciences Laboratory, 1 Research Link, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117604. kianhong@tll.org.sg
Archaea (Vancouver, B.C.)
|July 3, 2013
Summary
Cell division in Thaumarchaeota, like Nitrosopumilus maritimus, utilizes Cdv proteins, not FtsZ. This study demonstrates CdvB polymerization, supporting its role in archaeal cell division.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Archaea utilize distinct protein machineries for cell division: Euryarchaeota use FtsZ, while Crenarchaeota use Cdv proteins.
- Thaumarchaeota, including Nitrosopumilus maritimus, possess genes for both FtsZ and Cdv proteins, creating ambiguity about their cell division mechanism.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the polymerization capabilities of FtsZ and Cdv proteins from Nitrosopumilus maritimus.
- To determine which protein system, FtsZ or Cdv, is responsible for cell division in N. maritimus.
Main Methods:
- Heterologous expression of N. maritimus FtsZ and CdvB proteins in fission yeast and mammalian cells.
- Assessment of the ability of these archaeal proteins to form polymers and filaments in vivo.
Main Results:
- N. maritimus CdvB (Nmar_0816) successfully formed stable polymers in fission yeast and assembled into filaments in mammalian cells.
- N. maritimus FtsZ failed to polymerize in the heterologous expression systems used.
- These findings align with previous observations of Cdv protein mid-cell localization in dividing N. maritimus.
Conclusions:
- The Cdv protein system, specifically CdvB, is likely responsible for cell division in Nitrosopumilus maritimus.
- FtsZ does not appear to function as the primary cell division machinery in this Thaumarchaeota species.
- This research clarifies the molecular mechanisms of cell division across different archaeal phyla.
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