Figure 5. Point mutants in the LytM groove of SpoIIQ impair its localization to the forespore septal membrane.
(A) Surface representation of the SpoIIQ crystal structure highlighting the SpoIIIAH-SpoIIQ interaction interface (cyan), the degenerate active site (magenta) and the characteristic LytM groove (orange). Representative residues in the LytM groove (Q168 and S164) that were mutated are shown. (B) Images of GFP-SpoIIQ localization at hour 2 of sporulation. A representative mutant that localized properly (GFP-SpoIIQS164A) (BCR71) and one that failed to localize (GFP-SpoIIQQ168A)(BCR80). The loss of septal localization of GFP-SpoIIQQ168A was dependent on the spoIIIAH mutant. GFP-SpoIIQQ168A localized properly in an otherwise wild-type background (spoIIIAH+, BCR87). Scale bar is 2 μm.