Fitzpatrick Institute for Photonics Fitzpatrick Institute for Photonics
Pratt School of Engineering
Duke University

 HOME > pratt > FIP    Search Help Login pdf version printable version 

Publications [#193303] of Harold P. Erickson

Papers Published

  1. M Osawa, DE Anderson, HP Erickson, Curved FtsZ protofilaments generate bending forces on liposome membranes., The EMBO journal, vol. 28 no. 22 (November, 2009), pp. 3476-84, ISSN 1460-2075 [doi]
    (last updated on 2013/05/16)

    Abstract:
    We have created FtsZ-YFP-mts where an amphipathic helix on the C-terminus tethers FtsZ to the membrane. When incorporated inside multi-lamellar tubular liposomes, FtsZ-YFP-mts can assemble Z rings that generate a constriction force. When added to the outside of liposomes, FtsZ-YFP-mts bound and produced concave depressions, bending the membrane in the same direction as the Z ring inside liposomes. Prominent membrane tubules were then extruded at the intersections of concave depressions. We tested the effect of moving the membrane-targeting sequence (mts) from the C-terminus to the N-terminus, which is approximately 180 degrees from the C-terminal tether. When mts-FtsZ-YFP was applied to the outside of liposomes, it generated convex bulges, bending the membrane in the direction opposite to the concave depressions. We conclude that FtsZ protofilaments have a fixed direction of curvature, and the direction of membrane bending depends on which side of the bent protofilament the mts is attached to. This supports models in which the FtsZ constriction force is generated by protofilament bending.

    Keywords:
    Bacterial Proteins • Cytoskeletal Proteins • Cytoskeleton • Liposomes • Membranes • Models, Biological • Models, Molecular • Protein Structure, Quaternary • Structure-Activity Relationship • Tensile Strength • Torsion, Mechanical • chemistry • chemistry* • metabolism • metabolism* • physiology • physiology*


Duke University * Pratt * Reload * Login