Nano-encapsulated Escherichia coli Divisome Anchor ZipA, and in Complex with FtsZ

March 24, 2020

Title

Nano-encapsulated Escherichia coli Divisome Anchor ZipA, and in Complex with FtsZ

Author

Sarah C. Lee, Richard Collins, Yu-pin Lin, Mohammed Jamshad, Claire Broughton, Sarah A. Harris, Benjamin S Hanson, Cecilia Tognoloni, Rosemary A. Parslow, Ann E. Terry, Alison Rodger, Corinne J. Smith, Karen J. Edler, Robert Ford, David I. Roper, Timothy R. Dafforn

Year

2019

Journal

Scientific Reports

Abstract

The E. coli membrane protein ZipA, binds to the tubulin homologue FtsZ, in the early stage of cell division. We isolated ZipA in a Styrene Maleic Acid lipid particle (SMALP) preserving its position and integrity with native E. coli membrane lipids. Direct binding of ZipA to FtsZ is demonstrated, including FtsZ fibre bundles decorated with ZipA. Using Cryo-Electron Microscopy, small-angle X-ray and neutron scattering, we determine the encapsulated-ZipA structure in isolation, and in complex with FtsZ to a resolution of 1.6 nm. Three regions can be identified from the structure which correspond to, SMALP encapsulated membrane and ZipA transmembrane helix, a separate short compact tether, and ZipA globular head which binds FtsZ. The complex extends 12 nm from the membrane in a compact structure, supported by mesoscale modelling techniques, measuring the movement and stiffness of the regions within ZipA provides molecular scale analysis and visualisation of the early divisome.

Instrument

J-715

Keywords

Circular dichroism, Protein folding, Secondary structure, Nanostructures, Materials, Biochemistry