FtsA is required for proper cytokinesis in bacteria such as Escherichia coli, Caulobacter crescentus, and Bacillus subtilis. Originally isolated in a screen for E. coli cells that could divide at 30˚C but not at 40˚C, FtsA stands for "filamentous temperature sensitive A". Many thermosensitive alleles of E. coli ftsA exist, and all map in or near the ATP binding pocket. Suppressors that restore normal function map either to the binding pocket or to the FtsA-FtsA interface. FtsA localizes to the cytokinetic ring formed by FtsZ. One of FtsA's functions in cytokinesis is to tether FtsZ polymers to the cytoplasmic membrane via a conserved C-terminal amphipathic helix, forming an "A ring" in the process. Another essential division protein, ZipA, also tethers the Z ring to the membrane and exhibits overlapping function with FtsA. FtsZ, FtsA and ZipA together are called the proto-ring because they are involved in a specific initial phase of cytokinesis. Removal of this helix results in the formation of very long and stable polymer bundles of FtsA in the cell that do not function in cytokinesis. Another subdomain of FtsA is required for interactions with FtsZ, via the conserved C-terminus of FtsZ. Other FtsZ regulators including MinC and ZipA bind to the same C terminus of FtsZ. Finally, subdomain 1C, which is in a unique position relative to MreB and actin, is required for FtsA to recruit downstreamcell division proteins such as FtsN. Although FtsA is essential for viability in E. coli, it can be deleted in B. subtilis. B. subtilis cells lacking FtsA divide poorly, but still survive. Another FtsZ-interacting protein, SepF, is able to replace FtsA in B. subtilis, suggesting that SepF and FtsA have overlapping functions. An allele of FtsA called FtsA* is able to bypass the normal requirement for the ZipA in E. coli cytokinesis. FtsA* also causes cells to divide at a shorter cell length than normal, suggesting that FtsA may normally receive signals from the septum synthesis machinery to regulate when cytokinesis can proceed. Other FtsA*-like alleles have been found, and they mostly decrease FtsA-FtsA interactions. Oligomeric state of FtsA is likely important for regulating its activity, its ability to recruit the later cell division proteins and its ability to bind ATP. Other cell division proteins of E. coli, including FtsN and the ABC transporter homologs FtsEX, seem to regulate septum constriction by signaling through FtsA, and the FtsQLB subcomplex is also involved in promoting FtsN-mediated septal constriction. FtsA binds directly to the conserved C-terminal domain of FtsZ. This FtsA-FtsZ interaction is likely involved in regulating FtsZ polymer dynamics. In vitro, E. coli FtsA disassembles FtsZ polymers in the presence of ATP, both in solution, as FtsA* and on supported lipid bilayers. E. coli FtsA itself does not assemble into detectable structures except when on membranes, where it forms dodecameric minirings that often pack in clusters and bind to single FtsZ protofilaments. In contrast, FtsA* forms arcs on lipid membranes but rarely closed minirings, supporting genetic evidence that this mutant has a weaker FtsA-FtsA interface. FtsA from Streptococcus pneumoniae forms helical filaments in the presence of ATP, but no interactions with FtsZ have been reported yet. FtsA from Staphylococcus aureus forms actin-like filaments similar to those of FtsA from Thermotoga maritima. In addition, S. aureus FtsA enhances the GTPase activity of FtsZ. In a liposome system, FtsA* stimulates FtsZ to form rings that can divide liposomes, mimicking cytokinesis in vitro.
Structure
The crystal structure for FtsA is known. Compared to MreB and eukaryotic actin, the subdomains are rearranged, and the 1B domain is swapped out for the SHS2 "1C" insert.
