Mutants of Escherichia coli with altered level of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activities.

Five strains of Escherichia coli with reduced level of beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase activity were isolated. The mutations responsible for reduced activity of the enzyme have been localized in one of the strains between 25 and 27 minutes on the genetic map of E. coli. The mutants do not differ morphologically from the original strain. This suggest that beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase is of the secondary importance in the biosynthesis of murein.