The Lethal Effect of a Benzamide Derivative, 3-Methoxybenzamide, Can Be Suppressed by Mutations within a Cell Division Gene, <i>ftsZ</i> , in <i>Bacillus subtilis</i>

Abstract

3-Methoxybenzamide (3-MBA), which is known to be an inhibitor of ADP-ribosyltransferase, inhibits cell division in Bacillus subtilis, leading to filamentation and eventually lysis of cells. Our genetic analysis of 3-MBA-resistant mutants indicated that the primary target of the drug is the cell division system involving FtsZ function during both vegetative growth and sporulation.