EFFECT OF MINCD ON FTSZ RING POSITION AND POLAR SEPTATION IN BACILLUS-SUBTILIS

We examined the pattern of FtsZ localization in a Bacillus subtilis mi nCD mutant, When grown in minimal medium, the majority (similar to 89% ) of the minCD mutant cells with an FtsZ ring had a single, medially p ositioned FtsZ ring. These results indicate that genes in addition to minCD function to restrict the number and position of FtsZ rings. When grown in rich medium, greater than 50% of the minCD mutant cells had multiple FtsZ rings, indicating significant differences in regulation of FtsZ ring formation based on growth medium.