Complex phenotypes of null mutations in the htr genes, whose products are essential for Escherichia coli growth at elevated temperatures.

Transposon insertion, followed by screening, has allowed the identification of a set of genes, called htr, whose products are required for Escherichia coli growth at elevated temperatures. The htrB gene has been shown to map at 23.5 min on the E. coli genetic map. It codes for a very basic, hydrophobic, 35,000-Mr polypeptide, possessing a putative membrane-spanning domain. At the non-permissive temperature, htrB mutant bacteria stop dividing, followed by the formation of bulges and eventual lysis. The htrC gene maps at 90 min, is under sigma 32 regulation and codes for a 21, 130-Mr polypeptide. At 43 degrees C, htrC mutant bacteria gradually lyse, whereas at intermediate temperatures they filament extensively. Finally, the htrM gene maps at 81 min, is under sigma 32 regulation and codes for a 35,000-Mr polypeptide. The HtrM null phenotype included inability to grow above 42 degrees C, extreme mucoidness and sensitivity to bile salts, even at the permissive temperatures. The htrM gene is identical to the rfaD gene, whose product is required for the biosynthesis of the lipopolysaccharide precursor ADP-L-glycero-D-mannoheptose (Pegues et al., J. Bact., 1990, 172, 4652-4660).