whmD is an essential mycobacterial gene required for proper septation and cell division

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2000 Jul 18;97(15):8554-9. doi: 10.1073/pnas.140225297.

Abstract

A study of potential mycobacterial regulatory genes led to the isolation of the Mycobacterium smegmatis whmD gene, which encodes a homologue of WhiB, a Streptomyces coelicolor protein required for sporulation. Unlike its Streptomyces homologue, WhmD is essential in M. smegmatis. The whmD gene could be disrupted only in the presence of a plasmid supplying whmD in trans. A plasmid that allowed chemically regulated expression of the WhmD protein was used to generate a conditional whmD mutant. On withdrawal of the inducer, the conditional whmD mutant exhibited irreversible, filamentous, branched growth with diminished septum formation and aberrant septal placement, whereas WhmD overexpression resulted in growth retardation and hyperseptation. Nucleic acid synthesis and levels of the essential cell division protein FtsZ were unaltered by WhmD deficiency. Together, these phenotypes indicate a role for WhmD in mycobacterial septum formation and cell division.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Bacterial Proteins / genetics
  • Bacterial Proteins / metabolism*
  • Base Sequence
  • Cell Division
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins*
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Genes, Bacterial
  • Genetic Complementation Test
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Mycobacterium smegmatis / cytology
  • Mycobacterium smegmatis / genetics
  • Mycobacterium smegmatis / growth & development*
  • Mycobacterium smegmatis / ultrastructure

Substances

  • Bacterial Proteins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • FtsZ protein, Bacteria
  • WhmD protein, Mycobacterium smegmatis

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AF164439