The Escherichia coli cell division protein ZipA forms homodimers prior to association with FtsZ

Biochemistry. 2012 Feb 21;51(7):1407-15. doi: 10.1021/bi2015647. Epub 2012 Feb 9.

Abstract

ZipA is an essential component of the cell division machinery in E. coli and other closely related bacteria. It is an integral membrane protein that binds to FtsZ, tethering it to the inner membrane. ZipA also induces bundling of FtsZ protofilaments and may play a role in regulating FtsA activity; however, the molecular details behind these observations are not clear. In this study we have analyzed the oligomeric state of ZipA in vivo, by chemical cross-linking, and in vitro, by native gel electrophoresis (BN-PAGE). Our data indicate that ZipA can self-associate as a homodimer and that this self-interaction is not dependent on the FtsZ-binding domain. This observation rules out the possibility that FtsZ polymers mediate the ZipA self-interaction. Given this observation, it is possible that a certain population of ZipA is recruited to the division septum in a homodimeric form.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / chemistry
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Cycle Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Division
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / chemistry
  • Cross-Linking Reagents / pharmacology
  • Cysteine / chemistry
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Dimerization
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / chemistry
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism*
  • Plasmids / metabolism
  • Polymers / chemistry
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Conformation
  • Protein Structure, Secondary
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cell Cycle Proteins
  • Cross-Linking Reagents
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • FtsZ protein, Bacteria
  • Polymers
  • ZipA protein, E coli
  • Cysteine