Recombination-deficient mutants of Bacillus subtilis
Two mutant strains of Bacillus subtilis Marburg, NIG43 and NIG45, were isolated. They showed high sensitivities to gamma rays, ultraviolet light (uv), and chemicals. Deficiencies in genetic recombination of these two mutants were shown by the experiments on their capacity in transformation, SPO2 transfection, and PBS1 phage transduction, as well as on their radiation and drug sensitivities and their Hcr$sup +$ capacity for uv-exposed phage M2. Some of these characteristics were compared with those of the known strains possessing the recA1 or recB2 alleles. Mapping studies revealed that the mutation rec-43 of strain NIG43 lies in the region of chromosome replication origin. The order was purA dna-8132 rec-43. Another mutation, rec-45, of strain NIG45 was found to be tightly linked to recA1. The mutation rec-43 reduced mainly the frequency of PBS1 transduction. On the other hand, the mutation rec-45 reduced the frequency of recombination involved both in transformation and PBS1 tranduction. The mutation rec-43 of strain NIG43 is conditional, but rec-45 of strain NIG45 is not. The uv impairment in cellular survival of strain NIG43 was gradually reverted at higher salt or sucrose concentrations, suggesting cellular possession of a mutated gene product whose function is conditional. In contrast to several other recombination-deficient strains, SPO2 lysogens of strains NIG43 and NIG45 were not inducible, indicating involvement of rec-43$sup +$ or rec-45$sup +$ gene product in the development of SPO2 prophage to a vegetative form. The uv-induced deoxyribonucleic acid degradation in vegetative cells was higher in rec-43 and rec-45 strains. (auth)
- Research Organization:
- National Inst. of Genetics, Mishima, Japan
- NSA Number:
- NSA-33-020487
- OSTI ID:
- 4083026
- Journal Information:
- J. Bacteriol., v. 125, no. 2, pp. 489-500, Other Information: Orig. Receipt Date: 30-JUN-76
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
560131* -Biomedical Sciences
Applied Studies-Radiation Effects-Radiation Effects on Microorganisms-Basic Studies
*BACILLUS SUBTILIS- MUTATIONS
*DNA- DECOMPOSITION
BACTERIOPHAGES
GAMMA RADIATION
GENE RECOMBINATION
MUTANTS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION