Abstract
Bacteria divide asexually by binary fission which involves increase in cell size, DNA concentration and cell mass followed by division to produce two daughter cells with equal mass and DNA. This process, in contrast to mitosis, lacks discrete cell cycle checkpoints, and no spindle fibers are formed during segregation. Replication of DNA commences only once the cell has reached a particular mass termed as ‘initiation mass’ required to trigger replication. DNA replication in E. coli is bi-directional with two replication forks running in opposite directions. Following replication, the parent and the newly replicated daughter chromosome segregate and most bacteria utilize ParABparS partitioning system for segregation of daughter chromosomes. In Caulobacter cresentus which exhibits dimorphic cell cycle, asymmetric cell division is controlled by regulated synthesis and degradation of CtrA protein. Cell division in E. coli is conducted by at least 10 essential proteins forming a dynamic complex termed as ‘divisome’ or ‘septosome.’ Details regarding FtsZ polymerization and cell plate formation will be described with reference to E. coli. Stepwise assembly of divisome formation by recruitment of sub-complexes and their role in cytokinesis will be discussed while describing important proteins involved in divisome assembly. Synthesis of peptidoglycan to fill in the gaps during constriction will be dealt in detail followed by description of Tol-Pal system involved in outer membrane constriction of gram-negative bacteria. Regulation of septum formation exactly at the cellular mid-point and not towards the pole by specialized systems—Min system and nucleoid occlusion—will be explained in detail. Since cell division is a crucial step for cell survival in bacteria, some leads generated using natural products as antimicrobials targeting division proteins are discussed. FtsZ has a limited similarity with human tubulin, while FtsBLQ coordinates multitude of transient reactions in the divisome. In this light, these proteins are perspective drug targets and have been highlighted toward the end of the chapter.
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Gupta, R., Gupta, N., Kashyap, A. (2021). Cell Division. In: Fundamentals of Bacterial Physiology and Metabolism. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-0723-3_4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-16-0723-3_4
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