Involved in formation and maintenance of cell shape. Responsible for formation of rod shape. May also contribute to regulation of formation of penicillin-binding proteins. Self-associates. Interacts with MreB and MreD. Reduction in growth rate and ultimately cell lysis. Growth arrest is associated with remarkable change in cell morphology from the normal rod-shape to enlarged, spherical cells. Many of the large spherical cells lyse at a later stage. Belongs to the MreC family.