Identification of the Escherichia coli cell division gene sep and organization of the cell division-cell envelope genes in the sep-mur-ftsA-envA cluster as determined with specialized transducing lambda bacteriophages

Abstract

From a lysogen with A integrated in the leu operon, specialized transducing phages that carry the cell division, murein biosynthesis, and envelope permeability genes located about 0.5 min to the right of leu were isolated. These phages were used to identify the previously undiscovered cell division gene sep. A genetic map proves that sep is located in the sequence leuA sep murE murF murC ddl ftsA envA. A physical map of this region was prepared by heteroduplex analysis of the phage DNAs. Overlapping segments of host DNA extended rightward for as much as 26.4 kilobase pairs from the prophage insertion point (thought to be in leuA) to include all the genes through envA. pi contained 0.02 M ethylenediaminetetraacetate (10 to 365 i), 1 N NaOH (5 il), Xinim4cIt6Sami7 phage stock (5 i1), and transducing phage stock (5 to 30 p1), added in that order. After 30 min at room temperature, J. BAcTroi.on August 1, 2020 by guest

Identification of the ftsA gene product

“…However, this possibility can now be ruled out. The family of A-transducing phages isolated by Fletcher et al (6) start from a point in the leu operon and extend in the direction of envA. Our transducing phage starts to the right of envA and extends back towards leu until murC.…”

“…Wijsman (24) has pointed out that the genes in this region of the map are related in that they all affect the cell envelope. Fletcher et al (6) raised the possibility that these genes might even be in one functional unit. However, this possibility can now be ruled out.…”

“…Many genes involved in cell division have also been identified. Hirota et al (7,8,18) made a preliminary classification of division mutants, but this list is still increasing (6,13). However, on a biochemical level, the investigation of cell division lags behind that of DNA replication.…”

Sodium dodecyl sulfate-sensitive septation in a mitomycin C-sensitive, mtc, mutant of Escherichia coli

“…Among them, the function of the ftsA protein (located at 2 min on the genetic map of E. coli [11]) is of interest in connection with the putative SDS-sensitive protein in M27. The cell division of the ftsA mutant is located close to the genes responsible for murein synthesis (8,38), and the ftsA protein is related to a wide range of septation process (19). Recently, it was claimed that the ftsA protein also has a role as a termination protein which is considered to join completion of DNA replication and initiation of septation (12,35).…”

Identification of new genes in a cell envelope-cell division gene cluster of Escherichia coli: cell division gene ftsQ

“…In Escherichia coli there is a large cluster of genes, all of which are involved in some aspect of cell envelope synthesis, cell division, or both (5-8, 11, 12; H. J. W. Wijsman, Genetics 74: S296, 1973). So far, eight different genes have been placed unambiguously within this region by the use of specialized transducing phages (5)(6)(7), and a number of other mutations of similar phenotype have been located less precisely within or in the neighborhood of this cluster (see reference 1). The purpose of this and the accompanying note (9) is to report the discovery and positions within the cluster of two new genes which, like those described hitherto, appear to be concerned specifically with cell envelope growth, septum formation, or both.…”