Genomic, transcriptional and phenotypic analysis of ftsE and ftsX of Neisseria gonorrhoeae

Although ftsE and ftsX are not universally present in bacteria, they are pr esent in various Neisseria species as determined by Southern hybridization. The ftsE and ftsX genes of Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) CH811 were cloned, s equenced and were shown to be co-transcribed from two promoters (P(E)1 and P(E)2) which were identified upstream of ftsE(Ng) by primer extension. Sequ ence analysis of FtsE(Ng) and alignment with other FtsE indicated that it c ontained the conserved motifs of ABC domains while sequence alignment of Ft sX(Ng) with other published FtsX sequences predicted that they all contain four transmembrane segments and a conserved motif (Leu-hydrophobic aa-Gly-A la/Gly) which may prove to be important for FtsX function. The viability of ftsE(Ng) and ftsX(Ng) mutants that were constructed by insertional inactiv ation indicated that these genes are not essential. The role of FtsE and Ft sX is controversial. Analysis of ftsE(Ng) and ftsX(Ng) mutants by transmiss ion electron microscopy showed that both exhibited morphological abnormalit ies indicative of defective division sites and in some cases aberrant conde nsation of DNA.