Bacterial Cell Division and the Dynamics of the Z-ring

描述(申请人提供)：在后基因组时代，定量建模对于理解细胞运动、细胞信号和细胞分裂等关键细胞功能至关重要。传统的细胞过程模型通常依赖于对酶事件的生化描述，而没有关于生物材料属性或机械力在调节生物化学中的作用的信息。然而，机械力往往对生物化学有深刻的影响，并能导致生物物质的重组和开辟新的生化途径。提高对细胞力量产生和调节的理解是这项提议的一个目标。特别是，我们把重点放在细菌系统上，并询问力是如何在细菌细胞动环(Z环)中产生的，以及力如何影响观察到的细菌细胞的几何形状。提出了细胞壁生长的定量模型。采用建模和实验相结合的方法，研究遗传成分和观察到的细胞形状之间的联系。此外，我们认为Z环的收缩是由FtsZ丝之间的横向相互作用驱动的。这一机制不依赖于GTP水解所产生的化学能。我们建议使用单分子和荧光成像实验来测试这一想法。这一建议的结果将为理解原核和真核细胞中的细胞周期奠定基础，并阐明力学在指导细胞形态发生、细胞运动和一般生物功能中的作用。PHS 398/2590(06/09版)第1页续订格式页。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In the post-genomic era, quantitative modeling is essential for understanding critical cell functions such as cell movement, cell signaling and cell division. Traditional models of cellular processes often rely on biochemical descriptions of enzymatic events, with no information regarding biomaterial properties or the role of mechanical forces in regulating biochemistry. However, mechanical forces often have a profound influence on biochemistry, and can lead to reorganizations of biological matter and open new biochemical pathways. Improved understanding of cellular force generation and regulation is a goal of this proposal. In particular, we focus on the bacterial systems and ask how forces are generated in the bacterial cytokinetic ring (Z-ring), and how forces influence the observed geometric shape of the bacterial cell. Quantitative models of cell wall growth are proposed. Connections between genetic components and the observed cell shape are investigated using a combination of modeling and experiments. In addition, we propose that the contraction of the Z-ring is driven by lateral interaction between FtsZ filaments. This mechanism does not rely on chemical energy derived from GTP hydrolysis. We propose to test this idea using single molecule and fluorescence imaging experiments. The results of this proposal will build foundations for understanding cell cycles in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, and elucidate the role of mechanics in guiding cell morphogenesis, cell movement and biological functions in general. PHS 398/2590 (Rev. 06/09) Page 1 Continuation Format Page.