Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 1, 2026

FtsZ Polymerization Assays: Simple Protocols and Considerations
Published on: November 16, 2013
Elevated guanosine 5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate level inhibits bacterial growth and interferes with FtsZ assembly
Takayoshi Yamaguchi1, Ken-Ichiro Iida2, Susumu Shiota3
1Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan yama_guts@yahoo.co.jp.
Abstract:
FtsZ, a protein essential for prokaryotic cell division, forms a ring structure known as the Z-ring at the division site. FtsZ has a GTP binding site and is assembled into linear structures in a GTP-dependent manner in vitro. We assessed whether guanosine 5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate (ppGpp), a global regulator of gene expression in starved bacteria, affects cell division in Salmonella Paratyphi A. Elevation of intracellular ppGpp levels by using the relA expression vector induced repression of bacterial growth and incorrect FtsZ assembly. We found that FtsZ forms helical structures in the presence of ppGpp by using the GTP binding site; however, ppGpp levels required to form helical structures were at least 20-fold higher than the required GTP levels in vitro. Furthermore, once formed, helical structures did not change to the straight form even after GTP addition. Our data indicate that elevation of the ppGpp level leads to inhibition of bacterial growth and interferes with FtsZ assembly.
More Related Videos
06:30Using Microtiter Dish Radiolabeling for Multiple In Vivo Measurements Of Escherichia coli pppGpp Followed by Thin Layer Chromatography
Published on: June 4, 2019
05:57Live-Cell Fluorescence Microscopy to Investigate Subcellular Protein Localization and Cell Morphology Changes in Bacteria
Published on: November 23, 2019
Related Concept Videos
Stringent Response in E. coli
Inhibitors of Gram-positive Cell Wall Synthesis
Inhibitors of Bacterial Protein Synthesis
Gene Regulation in Microbial Communities: Quorum Sensing
Regulation of Bacterial Virulence
Coordination of Gene Expression Processes in Bacteria