Polymer stability plays an important role in the positional regulation of FtsZ

We conducted a series of experiments examining the effect of polymer stabil ity on FtsZ localization dynamics in Bacillus subtilis. A loss-of-function mutation in ezrA, a putative polymer-destabilizing factor, suppresses the d efects in FtsZ polymer stability associated with minCD overexpression. In a ddition, a mutation that is predicted to stabilize the FtsZ polymer leads t o the formation of polar FtsZ rings. These data support the hypothesis that carefully balanced polymer stability is important for the assembly and loc alization of FtsZ during the bacterial cell cycle.