Synthesis and degradation of FtsZ quantitatively predict the first cell division in starved bacteria.

ABSTRACT: In natural environments, microbes are typically non-dividing and gauge when nutrients permit division. Current models are phenomenological and specific to nutrient-rich, exponentially growing cells, thus cannot predict the first division under limiting nutrient availability. To assess this regime, we supplied starving Escherichia coli with glucose pulses at increasing frequencies. Real-time metabolomics and microfluidic single-cell microscopy revealed unexpected, rapid protein, and nucleic acid synthesis already from minuscule glucose pulses in non-dividing cells. Additionally, the lag time to first division shortened as pulsing frequency increased. We pinpointed division timing and dependence on nutrient frequency to the changing abundance of the division protein FtsZ. A dynamic, m

SUBMITTER: Sekar K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6217170 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature