FTSA IS LOCALIZED TO THE SEPTUM IN AN FTSZ-DEPENDENT MANNER

The localization of the cell division protein FtsA in E. coli was exam ined, FtsA was found to localize to the septum in a ring pattern as pr eviously shown for FtsA. The localization of FtsA was completely depen dent on the localization of FtsZ. Under a variety of conditions that p revented formation of the Z ring, FtsA was unable to localize. In muta nts where FtsZ forms structures in addition to Z rings, the pattern of FtsA duplicated these structures. These results suggest that the Z ri ng recruits FtsA to the septum.