FIG 5.

Phenotypic analyses of rpf mutant strains. (A) Colony morphology of the wild type, individual rpf mutants, and 5× Δrpf deletion strains after 2 days growth on MS agar medium. (B) A total of 2 × 10⁵ mutant and wild-type spores were plated on LB agar medium (a low-Mg²⁺ medium used to exacerbate any cell wall defects). Pictures were taken at the indicated time points and are representative of three independent trials. (C and D) Growth profile of the 5× Δrpf mutant compared to the wild type during liquid culture in TSB-YEME medium (C) and NMMP medium (D). Values are presented as means ± standard errors (n = 3). WT, wild type.