Figure 1.

The current model for activation of cell division.A, schematic representation of the essential components of the Escherichia coli divisome. The polymeric ring formed by FtsZ establishes the site of division in coordination with other early components. The peptidoglycan synthase complex FtsWI is the main actor for the reconstruction of the cell wall, leading to the formation of a septum and, eventually, the poles of the nascent daughter cells. Its activation is tightly regulated by FtsN and FtsLB. B, in the current model, FtsWI is in complex with FtsLB but is initially inactive. C, accumulation of FtsN at midcell somehow triggers a conformational change in the FtsLB complex, which in turn triggers peptidoglycan synthesis likely by a direct interaction with FtsWI.