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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
10:31
A Model Membrane Platform for Reconstituting Mitochondrial Membrane Dynamics
Published on: September 2, 2020
Membrane remodeling and higher-order structure formation by DivIVA.
Naďa Labajová1, Radka Obořilová2, Daniel Pinkas2
1Institute of Molecular Biology, Slovak Academy of Sciences, Bratislava, Slovakia.
International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
|March 12, 2026
Summary
DivIVA protein assemblies remodel bacterial membranes, influencing cell division. This study reveals DivIVA
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Microbiology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Membrane dynamics are crucial for cell division, transport, and organelle structure in all cells.
- Prokaryotes utilize proteins like flotillins and dynamin-like proteins, alongside cytoskeletal and Min proteins, for membrane modulation and cell division control.
- Cardiolipin, a phospholipid, localizes to curved membrane regions and influences membrane morphology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the unclear mechanisms of DivIVA's membrane interaction and morphological influence in bacteria.
- To elucidate DivIVA's role in bacterial cell division spatial positioning.
- To understand how DivIVA affects membrane remodeling.
Main Methods:
- Investigated DivIVA's higher-order assembly formation on membranes.
- Analyzed DivIVA's impact on membrane morphology changes.
- Examined the interaction between DivIVA and bacterial membranes.
Main Results:
- DivIVA forms higher-order assemblies on the bacterial membrane.
- These DivIVA assemblies actively enhance changes in membrane morphology.
- DivIVA demonstrates an affinity for cardiolipin and localizes to negatively curved membrane regions.
Conclusions:
- DivIVA plays an active role in bacterial membrane remodeling.
- DivIVA assemblies contribute to modulating membrane morphology and potentially cell division.
- Findings provide insights into the interaction between DivIVA and bacterial membranes.
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