The role of GTP-binding proteins in mechanochemical movements of microorganisms and their potential to form filamentous structures

Use of yeast two-hybrid system for detection of Bacillus subtilis FtsZ protein partners

Yeast two-hybrid system was modified to allow easy detection of prokaryotic protein-protein interactions. Three plasmids (pGBR1, pGBR2, pGBR3) with the ClaI restriction site shifted in the three possible reading frames in fusion with GAL4 activating domain were constructed. The modified plasmids were used for identification of protein partners of FtsZ from Bacillus subtilis. Among partners of FtsZ the FtsA protein and a globular part of the SpoIIE protein were identified. The protein interactions were quantified by measurements of beta-galactosidase activity in yeast cells using 4-methylumbelliferyl beta-D-galactopyranoside as fluorogenic substrate.

Isolation and characterization of dcw cluster from Streptomyces collinus producing kirromycin

A 4.5-kb BamHI fragment of chromosomal DNA of Streptomyces collinus containing gene ftsZ was cloned and sequenced. Upstream of ftsZ are localized genes ftsQ, murG, and ftsW, and downstream is yfiH. Gene ftsA is not adjacent to ftsZ or other genes of the cloned fragment. Protein FtsZ was isolated and characterized with respect to its binding to GTP and GTPase activity. The binding of GTP to FtsZ was Ca(2+) or Mg(2+) dependent with an optimum at 10 mM. The rate of GTP hydrolysis by FtsZ was stimulated by KCl. The presence of Ca(2+) (3-5 mM) resulted in a significant increase of GTPase activity. Higher concentrations of Ca(2+) than 5 mM had an inhibitory effect on GTPase activity. These results indicate that divalent ions (Ca(2+) or Mg(2+)) can be involved in regulation of GTP binding and hydrolysis of FtsZ. The maximum level of FtsZ was detected in aerial mycelium when spiral loops and sporulation septa were formed. FtsZ is degraded after finishing sporulation septa.