The loss of Hfq results in cell morphology defects.

<p>(A) Phase contrast images of the parental (WT) and Δ<i>hfq</i> cells taken from liquid PYE cultures grown at 30°C. The image shown for the Δ<i>hfq</i> strain highlights cells with morphology defects. Arrows denote the presence of granules in Δ<i>hfq</i> cells. Higher magnification of a representative cell containing a granule is shown in the inset (scale bar, 2 μm). (B) Scatter plots of cell lengths and widths of WT and Δ<i>hfq</i> cells grown as in (A).