Variability of peptidoglycan surface density in Escherichia coli

Abstract Murein synthesis in Escherichia coli can be partially inhibited by d-methionine without concomitant alterations in growth and morphology. d-Methionine-treated cultures grow steadily for an indefinite time, therefore murein surface density should be reduced. Determination of this parameter in control and d-methionine-treated cells showed a severe reduction in the latter. Murein surface density increases drastically in resting cells, irrespective of the presence of d-methionine. Mutants in ponB are hypersensitive to d-methionine. Analysis of ponB strains revealed an important reduction in murein surface density. An approximately two-fold reduction in average surface density is apparently compatible with normal growth and division.