Exploration of new players in FtsZ-based cell DiVision in Archaea (DiVA)

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In the last decades, our knowledge about the diversity, evolution, and processes like for example metabolism and motility, in Archaea has increased significantly. Yet, with respect to Bacteria, many other fundamental cellular processes remain largely understudied. The process how Archaea divide has been studied in more detail in recent years. Most Archaea divide by binary fission using homologs of the bacterial tubulin homolog FtsZ. Intriguingly, archaea can have either one or two FtsZ proteins, suggesting a diversity in cytokinesis within Archaea. Recent studies have identified further key elements in archaeal cell division, such as the SepF protein that anchors the Z-ring. Moreover, most components of the bacterial divisome are absent in archaea. In this project, Methanobrevibacter smithii and Haloferax volcanii, will be used as archaeal models for cytokinesis driven by one or two FtsZs respectively, to study new players in archaeal cell division. We will study the role of PRC-barrel proteins, an uncharacterized family widely distributed in archaea and likely involved in cell division in H. volcanii. In parallel, we will characterize additional components of the M. smithii divisome by identifying the partners of FtsZ and SepF and analysing the role of their specific MreB homolog. We will apply an interdisciplinary approach involving the characterization of mutants, high-resolution fluorescent microscopy, structural biology, and bioinformatics. Together, the results obtained in this project will fundamentally advance our knowledge of the archaeal cell division processes, contributing to our understanding on their origin and evolution.