Absence of hisT-mediated tRNA pseudouridylation results in a uracil requirement that interferes with Escherichia coli K-12 cell division.

We show that hisT function is required for normal growth of Escherichia coli K-12, since a lack of hisT-mediated pseudouridine tRNA modification causes a uracil requirement that interferes with cell division. We also show that hisT transcription is positively growth rate regulated in exponentially growing bacteria and is induced during the transition from exponential to stationary growth phase.