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Interaction between membrane proteins PBP3 and rodA is required for normal cell shape and division in Escherichia coli

In Escherichia coli, the products of several genes are required for septation, and the products of several others are required for the maintenance of the rod shape of the cells. We show here that the combination of certain mutations in a division gene (ftsI) with a specific mutation in one of the shape genes (rodA) could produce cells with normal shape and division, although separately these mutations led to a loss of the capacity to divide (ftsI) or to form normal rod-shaped cells (rodA). In contrast, combinations between other mutant alleles of these genes produced double mutants which had lost the capacity both to divide and to form rod-shaped cells. The mutual phenotypic correction observed within particular pairs of mutant genes suggests that the normal morphogenetic cycle of growth and division may require direct interaction between the two membrane proteins which are the products of these genes.