Figure 2. The mreB^A53T allele results in an increase in cell width and volume.

A) Phase-contrast images of the ancestor (Anc), the evolved clone (G+L3), the ancestor carrying the mreB^A53T allele (mreB^A53T), and the evolved clone with mreB reverted back to the ancestral sequence (G+L3 mreB^anc). B) Comparison of average mean cell width and length for each strain during exponential growth in Davis minimal medium plus glucose (DM+Glu). C) Comparison of average mean cell volume and surface area for each strain during exponential growth in DM+Glu. In (B,C), the ancestral and evolved strain backgrounds are represented by circles and diamonds, respectively. Blue symbols denote strains expressing the mreB^anc allele and red symbols denote strains expressing the mreB^A53T allele. All estimates of cell geometry are the average of three independent measures of population means derived from quantification of >200 cells. Error bars represent 95% confidence intervals (CIs).