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...

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Main Authors: Karthik Sekar, Roberto Rusconi, John T Sauls, Tobias Fuhrer, Elad Noor, Jen Nguyen, Vicente I Fernandez, Marieke F Buffing, Michael Berney, Suckjoon Jun, Roman Stocker, Uwe Sauer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Springer Nature 2018-11-01
Series:Molecular Systems Biology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.15252/msb.20188623
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author Karthik Sekar
Roberto Rusconi
John T Sauls
Tobias Fuhrer
Elad Noor
Jen Nguyen
Vicente I Fernandez
Marieke F Buffing
Michael Berney
Suckjoon Jun
Roman Stocker
Uwe Sauer
author_facet Karthik Sekar
Roberto Rusconi
John T Sauls
Tobias Fuhrer
Elad Noor
Jen Nguyen
Vicente I Fernandez
Marieke F Buffing
Michael Berney
Suckjoon Jun
Roman Stocker
Uwe Sauer
author_sort Karthik Sekar
collection DOAJ
description 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, mechanistic model quantitatively relates lag time to FtsZ synthesis from nutrient pulses and FtsZ protease‐dependent degradation. Lag time changed in model‐congruent manners, when we experimentally modulated the synthesis or degradation of FtsZ. Thus, limiting abundance of FtsZ can quantitatively predict timing of the first cell division.
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publisher Springer Nature
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series Molecular Systems Biology
spelling doaj-art-12cfbcdd67a24e8387cbbf577a075f3f2025-08-20T03:43:31ZengSpringer NatureMolecular Systems Biology1744-42922018-11-01141111410.15252/msb.20188623Synthesis and degradation of FtsZ quantitatively predict the first cell division in starved bacteriaKarthik Sekar0Roberto Rusconi1John T Sauls2Tobias Fuhrer3Elad Noor4Jen Nguyen5Vicente I Fernandez6Marieke F Buffing7Michael Berney8Suckjoon Jun9Roman Stocker10Uwe Sauer11Department of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH ZurichDepartment of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH ZurichDepartment of Physics, University of California at San DiegoDepartment of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH ZurichDepartment of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH ZurichDepartment of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH ZurichDepartment of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH ZurichDepartment of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH ZurichDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Albert Einstein College of MedicineDepartment of Physics, University of California at San DiegoDepartment of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH ZurichDepartment of Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, ETH ZurichAbstract 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, mechanistic model quantitatively relates lag time to FtsZ synthesis from nutrient pulses and FtsZ protease‐dependent degradation. Lag time changed in model‐congruent manners, when we experimentally modulated the synthesis or degradation of FtsZ. Thus, limiting abundance of FtsZ can quantitatively predict timing of the first cell division.https://doi.org/10.15252/msb.20188623divisionEscherichia coliFtsZprotein degradationstarvation
spellingShingle Karthik Sekar
Roberto Rusconi
John T Sauls
Tobias Fuhrer
Elad Noor
Jen Nguyen
Vicente I Fernandez
Marieke F Buffing
Michael Berney
Suckjoon Jun
Roman Stocker
Uwe Sauer
Synthesis and degradation of FtsZ quantitatively predict the first cell division in starved bacteria
Molecular Systems Biology
division
Escherichia coli
FtsZ
protein degradation
starvation
title Synthesis and degradation of FtsZ quantitatively predict the first cell division in starved bacteria
title_full Synthesis and degradation of FtsZ quantitatively predict the first cell division in starved bacteria
title_fullStr Synthesis and degradation of FtsZ quantitatively predict the first cell division in starved bacteria
title_full_unstemmed Synthesis and degradation of FtsZ quantitatively predict the first cell division in starved bacteria
title_short Synthesis and degradation of FtsZ quantitatively predict the first cell division in starved bacteria
title_sort synthesis and degradation of ftsz quantitatively predict the first cell division in starved bacteria
topic division
Escherichia coli
FtsZ
protein degradation
starvation
url https://doi.org/10.15252/msb.20188623
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