The lipid A biosynthesis deficiency of the Escherichia coli antibiotic-supersensitive mutant LH530 is suppressed by a novel locus, ORF195.

A new mutant of Escherichia coli K-12 supersensitive to both hydrophobic and large hydrophilic antibiotics was isolated and characterized. The mutant grew well at 28 degrees C, poorly at 37 degrees C, and did not grow at 42 degrees C. The rate of its lipid A biosynthesis was reduced as compared to that of the parent strain.