RodZ acts through MreBCD to activate the elongasome in Escherichia coli

Abstract Most bacteria are surrounded by a peptidoglycan (PG) matrix that maintains cell shape and provides protection against turgor pressure. In many rod-shaped bacteria, synthesis of PG along the cell cylinder is organized by the elongasome, also called the Rod complex, which consists of six highly conserved proteins, including the actin-like MreB, the PG synthase complex RodA-PBP2 and three regulatory membrane proteins, MreC, MreD and RodZ. However, how these proteins interact with each other to form the elongasome and synthesize lateral PG remains elusive. In this study, by characterizing MreC mutations affecting elongasome activity in Escherichia coli, we provide evidence that MreC alternates between an active and an inactive state and these mutations affect MreC interaction with PBP2. We also find that RodZ interacts with MreC via a periplasmic region and disruption of this interaction compromises elongasome function. Additionally, we show that the cytoplasmic region of RodZ, which interacts with MreB, work synergistically with activating MreC mutations to promote rod shape formation. These results indicate that RodZ activates the elongasome by initiating two signaling cascades, one in the periplasm via MreCD, and another in the cytoplasm through MreB. This role of RodZ in regulating elongasome activity is analogous to that of FtsN in activating the divisome, suggesting that the mechanisms governing the activation of PG synthesis in cell elongation and division are similar in E. coli. Importance The elongasome, or Rod complex, mediates lateral peptidoglycan synthesis during cell elongation in many rod-shaped bacteria. It consists of the cytoskeletal protein MreB, the peptidoglycan synthase RodA-PBP2, and three regulatory proteins MreCD and RodZ. Although it has been extensively studied, how its activity is controlled remains incompletely understood. Here, we reveal the roles of MreCD and RodZ in regulating elongasome activity in Escherichia coli. Our results indicate that RodZ triggers lateral peptidoglycan synthesis by interacting with MreB in the cytoplasm and MreCD in the periplasm. These interactions likely switch MreBCD to the active state such that they can stimulate the activity of the RodA-PBP2 complex. This regulatory mechanism resembles the activation mechanism of the divisome that mediates septal peptidoglycan synthesis.