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Transient inhibition of cell division in competent pneumococcal cells results from deceleration of the septal peptidoglycan complex

Author

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  • Dimitri Juillot

    (Micalis Institute
    Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique
    Université Paul Sabatier (Toulouse III))

  • Cyrille Billaudeau

    (Micalis Institute)

  • Isabelle Mortier-Barrière

    (Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique
    Université Paul Sabatier (Toulouse III))

  • Aurélien Barbotin

    (Micalis Institute)

  • Armand Lablaine

    (Micalis Institute)

  • Patrice Polard

    (Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique
    Université Paul Sabatier (Toulouse III))

  • Nathalie Campo

    (Centre Nationale de la Recherche Scientifique
    Université Paul Sabatier (Toulouse III))

  • Rut Carballido-López

    (Micalis Institute)

Abstract

Membrane protein ComM transiently inhibits cell division during the development of the competence state in the pathogenic bacterium Streptococcus pneumoniae, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here we show that, in competent cells, ComM moves together with, and reduces the speed of, septal peptidoglycan synthetic complex FtsW:PBP2x. ComM directly interacts with the putative FtsW:PBP2x activator DivIB, and overproduction of DivIB counteracts FtsW:PBP2x deceleration along the cell division delay in competent cells. Our results support a model in which ComM reduces septal peptidoglycan synthesis by interfering with DivIB activity during competence in S. pneumoniae.

Suggested Citation

  • Dimitri Juillot & Cyrille Billaudeau & Isabelle Mortier-Barrière & Aurélien Barbotin & Armand Lablaine & Patrice Polard & Nathalie Campo & Rut Carballido-López, 2025. "Transient inhibition of cell division in competent pneumococcal cells results from deceleration of the septal peptidoglycan complex," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-19, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-60600-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-60600-z
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