Characterization of the dnaG locus in Mycobacterium smegmatis reveals linkage of DNA replication and cell division.

ABSTRACT: We have isolated a UV-induced temperature-sensitive mutant of Mycobacterium smegmatis that fails to grow at 42 degrees C and exhibits a filamentous phenotype following incubation at the nonpermissive temperature, reminiscent of a defect in cell division. Complementation of this mutant with an M. smegmatis genomic library and subsequent subcloning reveal that the defect lies within the M. smegmatis dnaG gene encoding DNA primase. Sequence analysis of the mutant dnaG allele reveals a substitution of proline for alanine at position 496. Thus, dnaG is an essential gene in M. smegmatis, and DNA replication and cell division are coupled processes in this species. Characterization of the sequences flanking the M. smegmatis dnaG gene shows that it is not part of the highly conserved macromolecular

SUBMITTER: Klann AG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC106850 | biostudies-literature | 1998 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature