P. A. Levin

The transcription factor DksA exerts opposing effects on cell division depending on the presence of ppGpp

This paper shows that ppGpp modulates DksA's effect on cell division, switching it from an inhibitor to an activator, thereby regulating cell length in E. coli.

Connecting sequence features within the disordered C-terminal linker of B. subtilis FtsZ to function and bacterial cell division

This paper investigates how sequence patterns in the disordered C-terminal linker (CTL) of Bacillus subtilis FtsZ influence autoregulatory interactions and bacterial cell division.

Bacteriophage SP01 Gene Product 56 (gp56) Inhibits Bacillus subtilis Cell Division by Interacting with DivIC/FtsL to Prevent Pbp2B/FtsW Recruitment

This paper identifies gp56, a bacteriophage protein, as an inhibitor of Bacillus subtilis cell division by blocking recruitment of late division proteins through interaction with DivIC/FtsL.

Starvation induces shrinkage of the bacterial cytoplasm

This study shows that starvation causes E. coli to shrink its inner membrane and cytoplasm, driven by water loss, and that the Tol-Pal system is essential for recovery.

The active repertoire of Escherichia coli peptidoglycan amidases varies with physiochemical environment

This study identifies pH-dependent activity of E. coli amidases AmiB and AmiC, mediated by EnvC, NlpD, and YgeR, revealing non-redundant roles in cell separation.

Peptidoglycan editing provides immunity to Acinetobacter baumannii during bacterial warfare

Acinetobacter baumannii incorporates D-Lysine into its peptidoglycan to gain immunity against T6SS attacks from competitors, though this trait is lost in pathogenic strains due to host enzyme activity.

Environmental pH impacts division assembly and cell size in Escherichia coli

This study shows environmental pH affects cell division and size in E. coli by altering FtsN localization and activity.

The commercial antimicrobial triclosan induces high levels of antibiotic tolerance in vitro and reduces antibiotic efficacy up to 100-fold in vivo

This paper shows triclosan increases antibiotic tolerance in bacteria and reduces antibiotic efficacy in mice.

Plasticity in Escherichia coli cell wall metabolism promotes fitness and mediates intrinsic antibiotic resistance across environmental conditions

The paper shows that certain previously thought redundant enzymes in E. coli are specialized for specific pH environments, enhancing fitness and intrinsic antibiotic resistance.

Comprehensive analysis of central carbon metabolism reveals multiple connections between nutrients, biosynthetic capacity, and cell morphology in Escherichia coli

This study investigates how nutrient availability affects Escherichia coli growth rate and cell morphology by analyzing the impact of non-essential central carbon metabolic gene deletions.

A nutrient-dependent division antagonist is regulated post-translationally by the Clp proteases in Bacillus subtilis

The paper shows that Clp proteases regulate UgtP degradation in Bacillus subtilis under nutrient-poor conditions, affecting cell division and size.

Flux through lipid synthesis dictates bacterial cell size.

This study identifies lipid synthesis flux as the primary determinant of Escherichia coli cell size, showing its role in linking surface area expansion with cytoplasmic volume.