3C-05 Analysis of the factor involved in the localization of the phospholipids in B.subtilis

We have found that cardiolipin (CL) is localized at the septal membrane in B. subtilis cells by using the CL-specific fluorescent dye 10-N-nonyl-acridine orange (NAO). And we have found further that phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) is localized mainly at the septum by using the PE-specific tetracyclic polypeptide probe Ro09-0198 (Ro) and that most phospholipids synthases fused to green fluorescence protein (GFP) are also localized at the septum. Through the examination with Ro conjugated to FITC and that without fixation, we indicated that PE is certainly localized at the membranes in the septum. When GFP fusions to lipid synthases were expressed under their own, natural, promoters, we also observed the fluorescence in the septum. To clarify the region of CL synthase required for targeting to the septum, we constructed deletion derivatives of ClsA and examined their localization.