Synthesis of a Bacillus subtilis small, acid-soluble spore protein in Escherichia coli causes cell DNA to assume some characteristics of spore DNA

Journal Article · Thu Feb 28 23:00:00 EST 1991 · Journal of Bacteriology; (USA)

OSTI ID:5952967

Setlow, B; Hand, A R; Setlow, P ^[1]

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1. Univ. of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington (USA)

Small, acid-soluble proteins (SASP) of the alpha/beta-type are associated with DNA in spores of Bacillus subtilis. Induction of synthesis of alpha/beta-type SASP in Escherichia coli resulted in rapid cessation of DNA synthesis, followed by a halt in RNA and then protein accumulation, although significant mRNA and protein synthesis continued. There was a significant loss in viability associated with SASP synthesis in E. coli: recA+ cells became extremely long filaments, whereas recA mutant cells became less filamentous. The nucleoids of cells with alpha/beta-type SASP were extremely condensed, as viewed in both light and electron microscopes, and immunoelectron microscopy showed that the alpha/beta-type SASP were associated with the cell DNA. Induction of alpha/beta-type SASP synthesis in E. coli increased the negative superhelical density of plasmid DNA by approximately 20%; UV irradiation of E. coli with alpha/beta-type SASP gave reduced yields of thymine dimers but significant amounts of the spore photoproduct. These changes in E. coli DNA topology and photochemistry due to alpha/beta-type SASP are similar to the effects of alpha/beta-type SASP on the DNA in Bacillus spores, further suggesting that alpha/beta-type SASP are a major factor determining DNA properties in bacterial spores.

• OSTI ID: 5952967
• Journal Information: Journal of Bacteriology; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Bacteriology; (USA) Vol. 173:5; ISSN JOBAA; ISSN 0021-9193
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560130* -- Radiation Effects on Microorganisms
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BACILLUS
BACILLUS SUBTILIS
BACTERIA
BACTERIAL SPORES
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
BIOLOGICAL RADIATION EFFECTS
BIOSYNTHESIS
DNA
DNA REPLICATION
ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
ESCHERICHIA COLI
GENOTYPE
MESSENGER-RNA
MICROORGANISMS
MICROSCOPY
NUCLEIC ACID REPLICATION
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PROTEINS
RADIATION EFFECTS
RADIATIONS
RNA
SPORES
SYNTHESIS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION