Divide and conquer protein revealed

The structure of a key protein involved in building defensive bacterial cell walls has been revealed, and could help identify new antibiotic targets. Commonly-used antibiotics target the cell wall – the protective barrier around the genetic information contained within. For some bacteria, this strong cell wall helps it divide and conquer; to evade attack as it spreads. Bacteria spread via cell division with each resulting daughter cell containing an exact copy of its parents’ genome, meaning it is able to maintain its powerful defence mechanisms in each new cell. Division is regulated by the protein EzrA, which helps to control a second protein – FtsZ. This protein is involved in managing the tightening of an imaginary belt around a cell which causes it to separate into two. New research, published in Nature Communications and conducted at the Diamond Light Source in Oxfordshire, has shown that EzrA is shaped like a hoop, the middle of which accommodates FtsZ. EzrA’s shape prevents FtsZ from escaping until it has fulfilled its purpose: causing the cleavage of a cell into two whilst the duplication of the genetic material occurs. Researchers hope this new understanding of EzrA’s structure could help scientists develop new ways of disabling it, and therefore prevent bacteria from dividing correctly. Without the vital protein, the bacteria would fail to create their protective cell wall, leaving it open to attack from antibiotics. “The structure of EzrA is the most beautiful and intriguing that I have ever worked on; if someone had told me four years ago when the work commenced in earnest that EzrA formed this structure, I would not have believed them,” said Rick Lewis, Professor of Structural Biology at the University of Newcastle. “Nature continues to surprise and inspire. I hope that the amazing work carried out by my group, and that of our fantastic colleagues and collaborators, will inspire others to delve deeper into the problem of how bacteria divide.”