Regulation of FtsZ-ring Assembly in E. Coli Cytokinesis

智力价值这项研究使用细菌E.Coli作为模型系统，解决了细胞如何分裂的基本科学问题。在关键的一步中，必需蛋白质FtsZ在中间细胞形成细胞骨架环结构，建立分裂部位，并为促进细菌分裂的多蛋白质分子机器的定位提供结构框架。FtsZ是一种古老的蛋白质，存在于大多数细菌、一些古菌、所有叶绿体和原始线粒体中。许多蛋白质直接与FtsZ相互作用，调节FtsZ聚合物在中间细胞的组装和拆解，确保细菌细胞分裂的空间和时间完整性。在分裂的早期阶段，调节FtsZ组装的各种蛋白质-蛋白质相互作用的分子本质还没有被很好地理解。因此，鉴定FtsZ调控蛋白的全长及其与FtsZ的相互作用将有助于全面了解FtsZ的结构和细胞内的组装动力学。本项目主要研究在大肠杆菌中新发现的两个FtsZ相关蛋白(ZAP)及其与FtsZ的分子相互作用。ZAP蛋白在一些相关的细菌物种中是保守的。在遗传易受控制的大肠杆菌中，分析FtsZ-Zap与原子或近原子的相互作用将增强对FtsZ与其他细菌物种中相关蛋白质之间复杂相互作用的理解。更广泛地说，这项研究也有望加深我们对细菌细胞生物学基本方面的理解。广泛影响作为纽约城市学院唯一的研究实验室，重点是原核生物生物学，这一领域对理解所有生物体所需的基本细胞过程具有重要影响，该项目将成为课堂上创新课程开发的基础，以及研究生和本科生的研究培训。通过成功的研究项目辅导城市学院的学生，其中许多是少数族裔和/或女性，有助于在全国范围内努力鼓励代表性不足群体的成员选择研究事业并取得成功。为了在年轻学生中特别激发对微生物过程的兴奋，研究实验室的成员将继续参与城市学院曼哈顿上城社区的几个社区推广活动。这些努力包括参加当地的中学科学俱乐部和暑期大学计划，这是一项免费的城市大学倡议，旨在支持高中生早期对科学的兴趣，改善他们为大学做好科学准备，并激励他们使大学科学学习成为一个可实现的目标。

Intellectual MeritUsing the bacterium E. coli as a model system, this study addresses the fundamental scientific problem of how cells divide. In a key step, the essential protein FtsZ forms a cytoskeletal ring structure at midcell that establishes the site of division and provides a structural framework for the localization of a multi-protein "molecular machine" that promotes division in bacteria. FtsZ is an ancient protein that is found in most bacteria, some archaea, all chloroplasts, and in primitive mitochondria. A number of proteins interact directly with FtsZ and regulate FtsZ polymer assembly/disassembly at midcell ensuring the spatial and temporal integrity of bacterial cell division. The molecular nature of the diverse protein-protein interactions that regulate the assembly of FtsZ during early stages of division are not yet well understood. Therefore, the identification of the full complement of FtsZ regulatory proteins and their interactions with FtsZ will greatly aid in developing a comprehensive understanding of FtsZ structure and assembly dynamics in the cell. The present project focuses on two newly identified FtsZ-associated proteins (Zap) in E. coli and their molecular interactions with FtsZ. The Zap proteins are conserved in a number of related bacterial species. An analysis of FtsZ-Zap interactions to atomic or near atomic precision in the genetically tractable E. coli will enhance the understanding of the complex interplay between FtsZ and its associated proteins in other bacterial species. More broadly, this research is also expected to further our understanding of fundamental aspects of bacterial cell biology.Broader ImpactsAs the only research laboratory at City College of New York with an emphasis in prokaryotic biology, a field with important implications in the understanding of fundamental cellular processes required by all organisms, this project will form a basis for innovative curriculum development in the classroom, as well as research training for graduate and undergraduate students. Mentoring of City College students, many of whom are minority and/or female, through successful research projects contributes to nationwide efforts to encourage members of underrepresented groups to choose and succeed in research careers. To specifically generate excitement about microbial processes among younger students, members of the research laboratory will continue to participate in several community outreach initiatives in City College's upper Manhattan neighborhood. These efforts include involvement in a local middle school science club and the summer College Now program, a free CUNY initiative to support high school students' early interest in science, improve their science preparation for college, and inspire them to make college science study an attainable goal.