Dynamics of the Bacillus subtilis Min system

Abstract

Division site selection is a vital process to ensure generation of viable offspring. In many rod-shaped bacteria a dynamic protein system, termed the Min system, acts as a central regulator of division site placement. The Min system is best studied in Escherichia coli where it shows a remarkable oscillation from pole to pole with a time-averaged density minimum at midcell. Several components of the Min system are conserved in the Gram-positive model organism Bacillus subtilis. However, in B. subtilis it is believed that the system forms a stationary bipolar gradient from the cell poles to midcell. Here, we show that the Min system of B. subtilis localizes dynamically to active sites of division, often organized in clusters. We provide physical modelling using measured diffusion constants that describe the observed enrichment of the Min system at the septum. Modelling suggests that the observed localization pattern of Min proteins corresponds to a dynamic equilibrium state. Our data provide evidence for the importance of ongoing septation for the Min dynamics, consistent with a major role of the Min system to control active division sites, but not cell pole areas.