THE FUNCTION OF FTSZ IN MORPHOGENESIS OF SPIRULINA PLATENSIS

To explore the function of prokaryotic cytoskeleton protein FtsZ in morphogenesis of Spirulina platensis, the gene encoding FtsZ was cloned into pET-28a vector and highly expressed in E. coli BL21. The target protein purified by affinity chromatography was used to immunize mice to prepare polyclonal antibodies. The differences in expression and localization of FtsZ between linear and spiral forms of Spirulina platensiswere determined bywestern blot and immunofluorescence respectively. Both the results of western blotting from two strains of Spirulian plantensis showed that the expression level of Ftsz in linear algal trichomes was higher than that of spiral forms. FtsZ were localized underneath the cell membrane at the future division site, forming a ring-like structure known as the Z-ring. The Z-ring distributed more tightly in linear forms than that in spiral forms.The differences in expression and localization of FtsZ between linear and spiral forms of Spirulina platensis mean that cytoskeleton FtsZ probably plays an important role in morphogenesis of Spirulina platensis.