ABERRANT CELL-DIVISION AND RANDOM FTSZ RING POSITIONING IN ESCHERICHIA-COLI CPXA MUTANTS

In Escherichia coli, certain mutations in the cpxA gene (encoding a se nsor kinase of a two-component signal transduction system) randomize t he location of FtsZ ring assembly rand dramatically affect cell divisi on. However, deletion of the cpxRA operon, encoding the sensor kinase land its cognate regulator CpxR has no effect an division site biogene sis. It appears that certain mutant sensor kinases (CpxA) either exhi bit hyperactivity on CpxR or extend their signalling activity; to owe or more noncognate response regulators involved in cell division.