Localization of protein implicated in establishment of cell type to sites of asymmetric division

Abstract

Asymmetric division in Bacillus subtilis generates progeny cells with dissimilar fates. SpoIIE, a membrane protein required for the establishment of cell type, was shown to localize near sites of potential polar division. SpoIIE initially localizes in a bipolar pattern, coalescing at marks in the cell envelope at which asymmetric division can take place. Then, during division, SpoIIE becomes restricted to the polar septum and is lost from the distal pole. Thus, when division is complete, SpoIIE sits at the boundary between the progeny from which it dictates cell fate by the activation of a cell-specific transcription factor.