Characterization of a Bacillus subtilis Thermosensitive Teichoic Acid-Deficient Mutant: Gene mnaA (yvyH) Encodes the UDP-N-Acetylglucosamine 2-Epimerase

The Bacillus subtilis thermosensitive mutant ts-21 bears two C-G→T-A transitions in the mnaA gene. At the nonpermissive temperature it is characterized by coccoid cell morphology and reduced cell wall phosphate content. MnaA converts UDP-N-acetylglucosamine into UDP-N-acetylmannosamine, a precursor of the teichoic acid linkage unit.