Organization of genes in the ftsA-envA region of the Escherichia coli genetic map and identification of a new fts locus (ftsZ).

Complementation tests have revealed that the mutation in the filamenting mutant PAT84 is distinct from ftsA and has been designated ftsZ. By isolating transducing phages carrying various amounts of the bacterial deoxyribonucleic acid in this region, it was possible to locate the ftsZ gene between ftsA and envA. It is concluded that these cell division genes are expressed independently of the neighboring murein genes.