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 μg/ml) at the temperature shift from 30 to 42°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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 537-547 |
Number of pages | 11 |
Journal | Annales de l'Institut Pasteur Microbiology |
Volume | 138 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Jan 1987 |
Keywords
- Cell wall
- Escherichia coli
- Inactivation
- PBP-2
- Penicillin
- Protein
- Spheroidal form
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Medicine