pH-dependent activation of cytokinesis modulates Escherichia coli cell size

PLoS Genet. 2020 Mar 23;16(3):e1008685. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1008685. eCollection 2020 Mar.

Abstract

Cell size is a complex trait, derived from both genetic and environmental factors. Environmental determinants of bacterial cell size identified to date primarily target assembly of cytosolic components of the cell division machinery. Whether certain environmental cues also impact cell size through changes in the assembly or activity of extracytoplasmic division proteins remains an open question. Here, we identify extracellular pH as a modulator of cell division and a significant determinant of cell size across evolutionarily distant bacterial species. In the Gram-negative model organism Escherichia coli, our data indicate environmental pH impacts the length at which cells divide by altering the ability of the terminal cell division protein FtsN to localize to the cytokinetic ring where it activates division. Acidic environments lead to enrichment of FtsN at the septum and activation of division at a reduced cell length. Alkaline pH inhibits FtsN localization and suppresses division activation. Altogether, our work reveals a previously unappreciated role for pH in bacterial cell size control.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Division / physiology*
  • Cell Size
  • Cell Wall / metabolism
  • Cytokinesis / physiology*
  • Escherichia coli / genetics
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / genetics
  • Escherichia coli Proteins / metabolism
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration*
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Peptidoglycan / genetics

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Escherichia coli Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Peptidoglycan