A central role for PBP2 in the activation of peptidoglycan polymerization by the bacterial cell elongation machinery

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007726
• Publication Date: 2018-10-18T17:30:51Z
• Authors: Patricia D. A. Rohs; Jackson Buss; Sue I. Sim; Georgia R. Squyres; Veerasak Srisuknimit; Mandy Smith; Hongbaek Cho; Megan Sjodt; Andrew C. Kruse; Ethan C. Garner; Suzanne Walker; Daniel E. Kahne; Thomas G. Bernhardt
• Keywords: MreB; FtsZ

Cell elongation in rod-shaped bacteria is mediated by the Rod system, a conserved morphogenic complex that spatially controls cell wall assembly glycan polymerase RodA and crosslinking enzyme PBP2. Using Escherichia coli as model we identified PBP2 variant promotes system function when essential accessory components of machinery are inactivated. This hyperactivates synthesis vivo stimulates activity RodA-PBP2 complexes vitro. Cells with activated synthase also exhibited enhanced polymerization actin-like MreB component system. Our results define an activation pathway governing which conformation plays central role stimulating both its partner formation cytoskeletal filaments to orient assembly. In light these results, previously isolated mutations activate cytokinesis suggest analogous may control division machinery.