Characterization and mapping of temperature-sensitive division initiation mutations of Bacillus subtilis

Two temperature-sensitive, filamenting mutants of Bacillus subtilis (ts1 and ts12) have been shown to be defective in the initiation of septation. Recombination index mapping showed that these mutations mapped in two different but closely linked genes. A third proposed initiation mutation, tms-12, probably maps in the same gene as ts12. Another proposed initiation mutation was not linked with these genes by transformation, indicating that there was a minimum of three genes involved in the initiation of division. PBS1 transduction mapping located these three genes close to the pyr cluster.