Cell division in a species of Erwinia. V. Effect of metabolic inhibitors on terminal division and composition of a "division" medium.

Grula, E. A. (Oklahoma State University, Stillwater) and Mary M. Grula. Cell division in a species of Eriwinia. V. Effect of metabolic inhibitors on terminal division and composition of a "division" medium. J. Bacteriol. 84:492-499. 1962.-Terminal division in Erwinia spp. involves a triggering action and subsequent septum synthesis. It is a metabolic process requiring organic nitrogen and carbon and energy. The process, when triggered by pantoic acid or pantoyl lactone, is inhibited strongly by 2,4-dinitrophenol, hydroxylamine, mitomycin C, and Hg ion and to a lesser degree by cyanide, azide, 5-fluorouracil, and diisopropylfluorophosphate. Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid completely inhibits division only when calcium ion is the triggering agent. Heating of the cells at 43 C for 10 to 20 min also completely inhibits division. Hydroxylamine, iodoacetate, and mitomycin C cause extensive lysis of growing cells. No evidence has been obtained to demonstrate the need for protein or normal ribonucleic acid synthesis in terminal division. Requirement for intact deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or DNA synthesis is questionable; -SH groups are not directly involved. Once triggering has occurred, septum formation appears to require synthesis of at least cell-wall mucopeptide. A "division" medium is reported and discussed.