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Teleha Dissertation 2.pdf (3.9 MB)

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Evidence for a Direct Link between the Tol-Pal Protein Complex and Gram Negative Bacteria Cell Division via an Interaction between TolQ and the Divisome Protein FtsN

Teleha, Mary Ann
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1370913242

Abstract Details

2013, Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Bowling Green State University, Biological Sciences.
The TolQ protein functions to couple cytoplasmic membrane-derived energy to support outer membrane processes in Gram negative bacteria. With other products of the widely-conserved tol-pal gene cluster, TolQ has been linked to the process of bacterial cell division. When present in excess, TolQ disrupts cell division, leading to filamentous growth of Escherichia coli. The potential role of TolQ in Gram negative cell division was investigated by a number of methods, including growth assays and immunoblot, two-hybrid, and mutational analyses. This filamentation phenotype is specific for TolQ over-expression independent of TolA and TolR levels, with the degree of filamentation directly proportional to TolQ levels. Over-expression of E. coli TolQ in closely related species indicates that this property of TolQ is not E. coli specific, as excess TolQ leads to a comparable phenotype in other Gram negatives. Bacterial two-hybrid analysis indicates a potential in vivo interaction between TolQ and the divisome protein FtsN, ostensibly one that competitively diverts FtsN from functioning efficiently during late-stage cell division. Filamentation resulting from TolQ over-expression can be suppressed in cells when FtsN is concurrently expressed in excess. Mutational analysis of the 19 amino acid TolQ N-terminus suggests that specific residues within and/or conformation of the extreme N-terminal region of TolQ are essential for filamentation. Results of this study indicate that the link between the Tol-Pal proteins and cell division is mediated in part through a direct interaction between the periplasmic regions of TolQ and FtsN, with a possible role for the Tol system in stabilization of the divisome during Gram negative cell division. These findings are presented in this dissertation along with a broader consideration of a role for the Tol-Pal complex in cell division and a dynamic nature for the bacterial cell division apparatus itself.
Ray Larsen, Dr. (Advisor)
Adam Miller, Dr. (Committee Member)
Roudabeh Jamasbi, Dr. (Committee Member)
Rex Lowe, Dr. (Committee Member)
Vipaporn Phuntumart, Dr. (Committee Member)
Scott Rogers, Dr. (Committee Member)
226 p.
Microbiology; Molecular Biology
Escherichia coli; TolQ; FtsN; Cell division

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Teleha, M. A. (2013). Evidence for a Direct Link between the Tol-Pal Protein Complex and Gram Negative Bacteria Cell Division via an Interaction between TolQ and the Divisome Protein FtsN [Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1370913242

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Teleha, Mary. Evidence for a Direct Link between the Tol-Pal Protein Complex and Gram Negative Bacteria Cell Division via an Interaction between TolQ and the Divisome Protein FtsN. 2013. Bowling Green State University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1370913242.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Teleha, Mary. "Evidence for a Direct Link between the Tol-Pal Protein Complex and Gram Negative Bacteria Cell Division via an Interaction between TolQ and the Divisome Protein FtsN." Doctoral dissertation, Bowling Green State University, 2013. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=bgsu1370913242

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

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This open access ETD is published by Bowling Green State University and OhioLINK.