The lethal effect of a benzamide derivative, 3-methoxybenzamide, can be suppressed by mutations within a cell division gene, ftsZ, in Bacillus subtilis.

3-Methoxybenzamide (3-MBA), which is known to be an inhibitor of ADP-ribosyltransferase, inhibits cell division in Bacillus subtilis, leading to filamentation and eventually lysis of cells. Our genetic analysis of 3-MBA-resistant mutants indicated that the primary target of the drug is the cell division system involving FtsZ function during both vegetative growth and sporulation.