Do the divisome and elongasome share a common evolutionary past?

Area of Science:

• Bacteriology
• Cell Biology
• Evolutionary Biology

Background:

• The divisome and elongasome are essential bacterial protein complexes.
• They are responsible for peptidoglycan (PG) synthesis during cell division and elongation, respectively.
• Understanding their relationship is key to bacterial morphology and survival.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence for a shared evolutionary past between the bacterial divisome and elongasome.
• To highlight functional and molecular similarities between these two protein complexes.
• To propose a model for the evolutionary relationship between the divisome and elongasome.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing research on bacterial cell division and elongation machinery.
• Comparative analysis of protein components and functions of the divisome and elongasome.
• Examination of recent findings on protein polymerization and membrane interactions.

Main Results:

• Both divisome and elongasome utilize related penicillin-binding proteins (PBPs) for PG synthesis.
• Both complexes employ SEDS (shape, elongation, division and sporulation) family proteins for Lipid II export.
• Both interact with MraY/Mur proteins for Lipid II synthesis and involve actin-like proteins (FtsA and MreB).

Conclusions:

• Strong evidence supports a shared evolutionary history for the divisome and elongasome.
• The elongasome appears to be a divergent form of the divisome.
• The elongasome likely evolved from the divisome by losing the internal FtsZ-ring and associated components.