Modulation of the lytic apparatus by the FtsEX complex within the bacterial division machinery.

ABSTRACT

The FtsEX membrane complex constitutes an essential component of the ABC transporter superfamily, widely distributed among bacterial species. It governs peptidoglycan degradation for cell division, acting as a signal transmitter rather than a substrate transporter. Through the ATPase activity of FtsE, it facilitates signal transmission from the cytosol across the membrane to the periplasm, activating associated peptidoglycan hydrolases. This review concentrates on the latest structural advancements elucidating the architecture of the FtsEX complex and its interplay with lytic enzymes or regulatory counterparts. The revealed three-dimensional structures unveil a landscape wherein a precise array of intermolecular interactions, preserved across diverse bacterial species, afford meticulous spatial and temporal control over the cell division process.