FIG 5 .

Diagram of the links showing the connections between the deprivation of FtsZ and the decrease of the resiliency of VIP205 cells. In the top panel, when FtsZ is produced at normal concentrations, ZipA, FtsK, and MinD are maintained at levels that support division, nucleoid segregation, and recombination. In the bottom panel, when the pool of FtsZ molecules is depleted the free ZapB might interact with MatP reinforcing the compaction of the ter region and delaying the normal segregation of the daughter chromosomes. Mislocalization of FtsK might favor the formation of catenanes, as a functional Topo IV would not assemble at the septum, affecting chromosome segregation. Moreover, the number of ZipA and FtsK molecules inserted into the membrane of the filaments is increased, affecting the functional integrity of the membrane. This prevents the normal attachment of MinD and thus its function in chromosomal segregation, which may add to the inefficient segregation of the nucleoid.