Characterization of translucent segments observed in an smbA mutant of Escherichia coli.
The smbA gene of Escherichia coli is essential for cell proliferation. The smbA2 mutant shows cold-sensitive colony formation at 22 degrees C. A novel morphological phenotype, formation of a translucent segment at midcell or at a cell pole, was observed by phase-contrast microscopy at a high frequency in the smbA2 mutant cells incubated in L medium lacking NaCl at 22 degrees C, but not observed in L medium containing 1% NaCl or 20% sucrose at the same temperature. No translucent segment was observed in the wild-type cells in any of the media used. Electron microscopic observation revealed that the translucent segments resulted from the enlargement of a periplasmic space by separation of the inner membrane from the peptidoglycan layer and the outer membrane.
Yamanaka
K
K
Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute of Molecular Embryology and Genetics, Kumamoto University School of Medicine, Japan.
Ogura
T
T
Murata
K
K
Suzaki
T
T
Niki
H
H
Hiraga
S
S
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D003080:Cold Temperature; D003470:Culture Media; D004926:Escherichia coli / Q000235:genetics* / Q000254:growth & development / Q000648:ultrastructure; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; D016153:Genes, Suppressor; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D014166:Transferases
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D003470:Culture Media; D029968:Escherichia coli Proteins; C078379:pyrH protein, E coli; D014166:Transferases