Eur. Phys. J. E (2020) 43: 43
https://doi.org/10.1140/epje/i2020-11967-6

Regular Article

A stochastic model for dynamics of FtsZ filaments and the formation of Z -ring

¹ School of Physical Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, 752050, Jatni, India
² Homi Bhabha National Institute, Training School Complex, Anushakti Nagar, 400094, Mumbai, India

^* e-mail: arabind7swain@gmail.com
^** e-mail: anil@niser.ac.in
^*** e-mail: sumedha@niser.ac.in

Received: 25 September 2019
Accepted: 16 June 2020
Published online: 2 July 2020

Abstract

Understanding the mechanisms responsible for the formation and growth of FtsZ polymers and their subsequent formation of the Z -ring is important for gaining insight into the cell division in prokaryotic cells. In this work, we present a minimal stochastic model that qualitatively reproduces in vitro observations of polymerization, formation of dynamic contractile ring that is stable for a long time and depolymerization shown by FtsZ polymer filaments. In this stochastic model, we explore different mechanisms for ring breaking and hydrolysis. In addition to hydrolysis, which is known to regulate the dynamics of other tubulin polymers like microtubules, we find that the presence of the ring allows for an additional mechanism for regulating the dynamics of FtsZ polymers. Ring breaking dynamics in the presence of hydrolysis naturally induce rescue and catastrophe events in this model irrespective of the mechanism of hydrolysis.