FtsK has extensive sequence similarity to wide variety of proteins from prokaryotes and plasmids [1], termed the FtsK/SpoIIIE family. This domain contains a putative ATP binding P-loop motif. It is found in the FtsK cell division protein from E. coli Swiss:P46889 and the stage III sporulation protein E SpoIIIE Swiss:P21458 which has roles in regulation of prespore specific gene expression in B. subtilis. A mutation in FtsK causes a temperature sensitive block in cell division and it is involved in peptidoglycan synthesis or modification [1]. The SpoIIIE protein is implicated in intercellular chromosomal DNA transfer [1].

1: A new Escherichia coli cell division gene, ftsK. Begg KJ, Dewar SJ, Donachie WD; J Bacteriol 1995;177:6211-6222. PMID:7592387

2: Bacillus subtilis spoIIIE protein required for DNA segregation during asymmetric cell division. Wu LJ ,Errington J; Science 1994;264:572-575. PMID:8160014