title: Effects of temperature inactivation of penicillin-binding protein 2 on envelope growth in Escherichia coli.
abstract: The transition from rod-shaped to spheroidal cells was studied in a temperature-sensitive strain (SP45) of Escherichia coli K12, carrying a mutation (pbpA) in the gene coding for penicillin-binding protein 2 (PBP-2). This transition imposed by the restrictive temperature was associated with reduction of peptidoglycan/surface area and of cellular osmotic stability. Addition of nalidixic acid (20 micrograms/ml) at the temperature shift from 30 to 42 degrees C resulted in lysis of some cells and appearance of spheroidal bulges along the cylinders in other cells, consistent with the hypothesis of envelope weakening due to inactivation of PBP-2.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Buchnik
authors.forename: C L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Woldringh
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zaritsky
mesh_terms: D000217:Acyltransferases / Q000502:physiology*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D002473:Cell Wall / Q000648:ultrastructure; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D006602:Hexosyltransferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D002267:Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase; D009154:Mutation; D009268:Nalidixic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D009996:Osmotic Fragility; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D010457:Peptidoglycan / Q000032:analysis; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002352:Carrier Proteins; D009097:Multienzyme Complexes; D046915:Penicillin-Binding Proteins; D010457:Peptidoglycan; D009268:Nalidixic Acid; D000217:Acyltransferases; D010458:Peptidyl Transferases; D006602:Hexosyltransferases; D002267:Muramoylpentapeptide Carboxypeptidase