The ponA gene of Mycobacterium smegmatis encodes a 95-kDa penicillin binding protein, PBP1, that is similar to PBP1s of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium leprae. Transposon disruption of ponA in M. smegmatis resulted in a PBP1-deficient mutant that was sensitive to β-lactam antibiotics, was more permeable to glycine, and grew slowly in liquid culture.
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