A MatP-divisome interaction coordinates chromosome segregation with cell division in E. coli

• Published in: The EMBO journal 2012-07, Vol.31 (14), p.3198-3211
• Main Authors: Espéli, Olivier, Borne, Romain, Dupaigne, Pauline, Thiel, Axel, Gigant, Emmanuelle, Mercier, Romain, Boccard, Frédéric
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cell cycle; Cell Cycle Proteins - genetics; Cell Cycle Proteins - metabolism; Cell Division - physiology; Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone - genetics; Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone - metabolism; Chromosomes; Chromosomes, Bacterial - genetics; Chromosomes, Bacterial - metabolism; Deoxyribonucleic acid; divisome; DNA; DNA, Bacterial - genetics; DNA, Bacterial - metabolism; E coli; EMBO06; EMBO13; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli Proteins - genetics; Escherichia coli Proteins - metabolism; macrodomain; MatP; replication factory; ZapB
• ISSN: 0261-4189; 1460-2075
• DOI: 10.1038/emboj.2012.128

Initiation of chromosome segregation in bacteria is achieved by proteins acting near the origin of replication. Here, we report that the precise choreography of the terminus region of the Escherichia coli chromosome is also tightly controlled. The segregation of the terminus (Ter) macrodomain (MD) involves the structuring factor MatP. We characterized that migration of the Ter MD from the new pole to mid‐cell and its subsequent persistent localization at mid‐cell relies on several processes. First, the replication of the Ter DNA is concomitant with its recruitment from the new pole to mid‐cell in a sequential order correlated with the position on the genetic map. Second, using a strain carrying a linear chromosome with the Ter MD split in two parts, we show that replisomes are repositioned at mid‐cell when replication of the Ter occurs. Third, we demonstrate that anchoring the Ter MD at mid‐cell depends on the specific interaction of MatP with the division apparatus‐associated protein ZapB. Our results reveal how segregation of the Ter MD is integrated in the cell‐cycle control. The major chromosome organizer MatP interacts with the cytokinetic ring protein ZapB to position chromosomal domains, shedding light on the coordination of chromosome replication and cell division in bacteria.