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Levi Neely

Professor Lauren Brooks

MICR 3450

January 24, 2019

Paper Critique #1: Cell shape-independent FtsZ dynamics in synthetically remodeled bacterial cells

The team behind this paper are obviously investigating FtsZ. FtsZ itself is something that

helps bacterial cells as they divide in a multitude of ways. However, this paper singles out how

FtsZ helps in producing regularly-shaped cells after division, by the geometry of the formed Z-

ring during division. This will help to better understand the function and properties of FtsZ in

bacterial cells.

Bacterial cells replicate by splitting into two identical replicated cells. This process is

well understood and has been studied out extensively. Division is carried out by the divisome,

which features FstZ that works cooperatively with FtsA and ZipA (anchors to FstZ) that recruit

all the needed elements for division. Once all the parts are in place, the divisome begins to

squeeze the cell envelope leading to a full division.

This paper seeks to better understand what geometric limitations might effect Z-ring

maintenance and stability. The Z-ring itself can have multiple different shapes. These all allow

the ring to effectively carry out its job. However, these researchers investigate whether

“geometric changes to cell shape would influence Z-ring formation and dynamics, as this would

result in a better understanding of FtsZ behavior in live cells” (Söderström, 2018).

In order to address this question, the research group sculpted Escherichia coli cells into

shapes that are not found in nature. Theses shapes included squares and hearts. This was

completed and carried out by “using division- and cell wall-specific inhibitors in a micro-
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fabrication scheme” (Söderström, 2018). Furthermore, they utilized stimulated emission

depletion nanoscopy to reveal FtsZ clusters in sculpted cells.

The basic methodology of the researchers included growing the E. coli strainin media,

chromosomally insert a fluorescent FtsZ marker gene, nanofabrication of various cell types was

conducted, cell growth was allowed to commence, measurements, images, and statistics were

then analyzed.

After establishing a baseline, the FtsZ was observed in variously shaped bacteria. First, a

square bacteria was tested, secondly a rectangular-shaped cell, then heart-shaped cell, before

finally investigating more complex cell shapes such as pentagon, half-moon, star, triangle, and

cross-shaped cells. With each set of shapes, the FtsZ was monitored, after which bleach was

applied to half of the shape, then the recovery time of FtsZ was investigated. No significant

effects were observed.

These experiments addressed the research group’s original questions and looked further

to investigate other potential factors that could affect the outcomes. Furthermore, the conclusions

drawn from the team are supported by the evidence cited in the paper. “Quantification of FtsZ

cluster dimensions revealed little variation between different cell shapes, such as squares,

pentagons, triangles, and stars, suggesting that local membrane geometry has minimal influence

on FtsZ cluster dimensions…our results from different shaped cells show that Z-ring formation

and dynamics are not limited to cells of a certain shape or size” (Söderström, 2018).
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Works Cited

Söderström, Bill, et al. “Cell Shape Independent FtsZ Dynamics in Synthetically Remodeled

Cells.” Nature Communications, 2018, doi:10.1101/335356.