Figure 3.

Oscillation in counterphase in long extended filaments. (A) In a cell surpassing the critical size (≈23 space units with the parameters chosen), a transition occurs from one to two zones in which MinE sweeps back and forth. Localization of the FtsZ ring follows the corresponding change in MinD distribution. (B and C) In longer filaments, several sites of MinE “sweeping,” and thus several potential division sites emerge. MinD oscillates in counter phase. Each pixel row corresponds to the distribution after 800 iterations; 32 (B) and 42 (C) space units are used. For animated simulations, see the supporting information.