TABLE 1.

List of strains used in the study

M. smegmatis strain	Characteristic(s)	Reference or source
mc2 155 (WT)	Wild-type strain	49
ΔrelMsm strain	Strain in which the rel gene has been replaced with Hygr cassette	Lab strain (24)
ΔdcpA strain	Strain in which the dcpA gene has been replaced with Kanr cassette	Lab strain (29)
relComp strain	ΔrelMsm strain complemented with rel gene; Kanr	Gift from Christina Stallings (50)
dcpAComp strain	ΔdcpA complemented with dcpA gene; Kanr Hygr	Lab strain (29)
relOE strain	WT strain transformed with pMV261 plasmid containing rel gene under heat shock promoter	Lab strain
dcpAOE strain	WT strain transformed with pMV261 plasmid containing dcpA gene under heat shock promoter	Lab strain