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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2011 Jun 1.
Published in final edited form as: Future Med Chem. 2010 Aug;2(8):1305–1323. doi: 10.4155/fmc.10.220

Figure 2. Prokaryotic cell division.

Figure 2

(A) A normal cell, ready to divide with sufficient GTP-FtsZ, initiates polymerization.

(B) Polymerization of FtsZ proteins mid-cell and coordination of membrane-bound FtsA and ZipA, forming the MinC gradient.

(C) Steady-state turnover equilibrium reached with GTP-FtsZ in the cytoplasm and the Z-ring formed. (D) Contraction of the Z-ring and invagination of the cell membrane as well as cell wall. (E) Full septation of the cell and formation of two daughter cells, as well as the depolymerization of the Z-ring. (F) Radial view of a prokaryotic cell, showing bidirectional growth of FtsZ polymers along the cell membrane mid-cell.