Mutations in Escherichia coli that effect sensitivity to oxygen

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · J. Bacteriol.; (United States)

OSTI ID:5380036

Jamison, C S; Adler, H I

Fifteen oxygen-sensitive (Oxy/sup s/) mutants of Escherichia coli were isolated after exposure to UV light. The mutants did not form macroscopic colonies when plated aerobically. They did form macroscopic colonies anaerobically. Oxygen, introduced during log phase, inhibited the growth of liquid cultures. The degree of inhibition was used to separate the mutants into three classes. Class I mutants did not grow after exposure to oxygen. Class II mutants were able to grow, but at a reduced rate and to a reduced final titer, when compared with the wild-type parent. Class III mutants formed filaments in response to oxygen. Genetic experiments indicated that the mutations map to six different chromosomal regions. The results of enzymatic assays indicated that 7 of the 10 class I mutants have low levels of catalase, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and respiratory enzymes when compared with the wild-type parent. Mutations in five of the seven class I mutants which have the low enzyme activities mapped within the region 8 to 13.5 min. P1 transduction data indicated that mutations in three of these five mutants, Oxy/sup s/-6, Oxy/sup s/-14, and Oxy/sup s/-17, mapped to 8.4 min. The correlation of low enzyme levels and mapping data suggest that a single gene may regulate several enzymes in response to oxygen. The remaining three class I mutants had wild-type levels of catalase, peroxidase, and superoxide dismutase, but decreased respiratory activity. The class II and III mutants had enzyme activities similar to those of the wild-type parent.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5380036
• Journal Information: J. Bacteriol.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Bacteriol.; (United States) Vol. 169:11; ISSN JOBAA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550201 -- Biochemistry-- Tracer Techniques
550701 -- Microbiology-- Tracer Techniques
560130* -- Radiation Effects on Microorganisms
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BACTERIA
CATALASE
CELL DIVISION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELEMENTS
ENZYMES
ESCHERICHIA COLI
GENETIC MAPPING
MAPPING
MICROORGANISMS
MUTAGENESIS
MUTANTS
NONMETALS
OXIDOREDUCTASES
OXYGEN
PEROXIDASES
RADIATIONS
RESPIRATION
SENSITIVITY
SUPEROXIDE DISMUTASE
TOXICITY
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION