Figure 6. Monitoring FtsZ dynamics in non-dividing B. subtilis cells.

(A) At the permissive temperature SU744 (div-355) cells are able to divide, but at the non-permissive temperature division is inhibited as seen by the increased cell length. FtsZ-GFP was induced with 0.005 mM IPTG and grown in PAB at 30°C until mid-exponential growth before dilution and further growth at 45°C for 30 min to inhibit division. Scale bar, 5 µm. (B) To monitor FtsZ dynamics in non-dividing cells we visualized FtsZ-GFP localization in cells with the div-355 mutation at non-permissive temperature using conventional deconvolved microscopy (images acquired on the OMX Blaze system). FtsZ remains dynamic even when division is inhibited and Z ring constriction does not occur. A white arrowhead marks the position of a gap when it initially forms inside the Z ring. White arrows indicate the formation of additional gaps in the Z ring. Time (s) is indicated in the upper left corner. Z ring diameter, ∼0.9 µm.