TABLE 1.

Relative transformation of ΔezrA or ΔftsZ amplicon into Spn D39 Δcps^a,b.

	Number of colonies in recipient strain after 16-20 h incubation
Amplicon	D39 Δcps	D39 Δcps bgaA’::PZn-ezrA+		D39 Δcps bgaA’::PZn-ftsZ+
		+Zn	-Zn	+Zn	-Zn
1. ΔezrA<>aad9	0d	> 300	< 15c, d	0	0
2. ΔftsZ::aad9	0	0	0	> 300	0
3. ΔpurR::aad9	> 300	>300	> 300	NT	NT

^aD39 Δcps (IU1945), D39 Δcps bgaA’::P_Zn-ezrA⁺ (IU8795), D39 Δcps bgaA’::P_Zn-ftsZ⁺ (IU8122) were grown and transformed as described in section “Materials and Methods.” Transformation reactions requiring ZnCl₂ were grown (for 1 h before addition of ΔezrA or ΔftsZ amplicon), transformed, and plated in the presence of 0.5 mM ZnCl₂ and 0.05 mM MnSO₄ for transformation with ΔezrA<>aad9 amplicons or 0.3 mM ZnCl₂ and 0.03 mM MnSO₄ for transformation with ΔftsZ::aad9 amplicon. Numbers of colonies indicated were obtained from 1 ml of transformation mix. Data are representative of three biological replicates with similar results.

^bNT, not tested.

^cAfter 24 h of incubation, < 15 colonies were obtained which were variable in size, dull, and underneath agar. These colonies remained very tiny upon streaking. They were unstable and could not be recovered after storage.

^d< 50 colonies were obtained after 48 h of incubation. They were unstable and could not be recovered after storage.