What is it about?
The S-layer assembles on the surface of Sulfolobus acidocaldarius cells. Even though the S-layer is a lattice anchored to the membrane, it behaves flexibly enough to adapt during shape changes in division. The S-layer preferrentially localizes to the division bridge, flattening the membrane at this furrow, promoting faster constriction and abscission. As a result, mutants lacking proper S-layer show slower division, increased curvature at the furrow, and higher rates of division failure under mechanical stress.
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Why is it important?
This work advances our understanding of archaeal cell biology: it shows a structural cell surface element (S-layer) is actively involved in cell division, not just passive protection. It also helps bridge the gap between mechanical biology (how cells deal with forces/shapes) and microbiology of extremophiles.
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This page is a summary of: A self-assembling surface layer flattens the cytokinetic furrow to aid cell division in an archaeon, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, June 2025, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2501044122.
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