Characterization of ftsZ gene and its protein product from Streptomyces collinus producing kirromycin.

The FtsZ protein is required for septation and conversion of aerial mycelium into chains of streptomycete spores. We have cloned and sequenced the ftsZ gene from Streptomyces collinus. The ftsZ of S. collinus is not in juxtaposition with ftsA and IpxC as in Escherichia coli or Bacillus subtilis. The gene encodes a polypeptide of 402 amino acid residues with a molecular mass of 41.3 kDa. N-terminus shares a high level of sequence similarity with FtsZ of S. coelicolor and S. griseus, respectively. C-terminal part is variable both in length and sequence. The purified protein binds GTP. Using polyclonal antisera against FtsZ, we have found that the protein is expressed at the beginning of germination of spores and is present in vegetative cells and aerial mycelium, but not in spores.