IDENTIFICATION OF FTSW AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NEW FTSW DIVISION MUTANT OF ESCHERICHIA-COLI

The product of the ftsW gene has been identified as a polypeptide that , like the related RodA protein, shows anomalous mobility on sodium do decyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. FtsW is produced at low levels that can be increased by altering the translation initiatio n region of the mRNA. Overproduction of FtsW strongly inhibits cell gr owth. A new mutant allele, ftsW201, causes a temperature dependent blo ck in the initiation stage of cell division which is similar to the di vision block in ftsZ mutants. The block in initiation of division in t he ftsW201 allele is shown to be independent of FtsZ or the FtsZ inhib itor, SulA. In addition, the ftsW201 mutant is hypersensitive to overp roduction of the division initiation protein FtsZ at the permissive te mperature. Our results suggest a role for FtsW in an early stage of di vision which may involve an interaction with FtsZ.