Extended Data Figure S12. Premature cleavage can be induced by AFM force curves or AFM scanning along the PCF.

Cleavage of cells shown in Figure 4 was induced by applying force with the AFM cantilever, which was done either by recording a force curve (wild-type cells) or by scanning along the septum at an elevated force (RipA-depleted cells). (a) Force at the PCF was applied by recording a force curve on the center of the PCF. A sudden drop in the force (black arrow) indicates an induced cleavage event. Subsequent AFM images show newly cleaved poles (see Figure 4a). (b) As in (a) force was applied at the PCF by recording a force curve. A drop in the force (black arrow) indicates a rupture event of leading to premature partial cleavage as shown in Figure 4b. Subsequently, the increasing force on the forming septum leads to rupture (*) and cell lysis. (c) Kymogram of the height while continuously scanning the same line (1 line/second) along the PCF of a RipA-depleted cell at high force. A sudden drop in the height (black arrow) indicates an induced cleavage event. AFM images prior and subsequent to induced cleavage events are shown in Figure 4.