Sensitivity of deletion mutant to calcium ions results in enhanced spheroplast size.

RodZ is a cytoskeletal protein associated with bacterial cell shape. It is a transmembrane protein located on the plasma membrane, and it binds to another cytoskeletal protein MreB. contains a homolog. Although is rod-shaped, it becomes spherical in shape when the homolog is disrupted. The deletion mutant was treated with lysozyme to generate spheroplasts. The spheroplasts enlarged in medium containing calcium chloride and penicillin. The deletion mutant spheroplasts were more sensitive to calcium ions than wild type. Cell and cytoplasm sizes of enlarged spheroplasts of the deletion mutant tended to be larger than those of wild type. Thus, disruption of enhances plasma and outer membrane expansion in spheroplasts.