Gonococcal MinD affects cell division in Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Escherichia coli and exhibits a novel self-interaction.

ABSTRACT: The Min proteins are involved in determining cell division sites in bacteria and have been studied extensively in rod-shaped bacteria. We have recently shown that the gram-negative coccus Neisseria gonorrhoeae contains a min operon, and the present study investigates the role of minD from this operon. A gonococcal minD insertional mutant, CJSD1, was constructed and exhibited both grossly abnormal cell division and morphology as well as altered cell viability. Western blot analysis verified the absence of MinD from N. gonorrhoeae (MinD(Ng)) in this mutant. Hence, MinD(Ng) is required for maintaining proper cell division and growth in N. gonorrhoeae. Immunoblotting of soluble and insoluble gonococcal cell fractions revealed that MinD(Ng) is both cytosolic and associated with the insoluble me

SUBMITTER: Szeto J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC100108 | biostudies-literature | 2001 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature