Basurto De Santiago, C.; Nan, B.

Gram-negative bacteria divide by separating two cell wall layers: peptidoglycan (PG) and the outer membrane (OM). In certain model organisms, the OM is tethered to PG, ensuring it closely follows PG throughout invagination, constriction, and separation. In contrast, Myxococcus xanthus exhibits autonomous OM partitioning, occurring only after complete PG fission. However, reinforcing the OM-PG connection by overexpressing endogenous or exogenous tethering proteins synchronizes the constriction and fission of both layers.