Influence of polyethylene glycol on the size of Schizosaccharomyces pombe electropores

Journal Article · Tue Mar 31 23:00:00 EST 1992 · Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States)

OSTI ID:7044729

Hood, M T; Stachow, C ^[1]

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1. Boston Coll., Chestnut Hill, MA (United States)

The role of polyethylene glycol (PEG) in the transformation of Schizosaccharomyces pombe by electroporation is investigated by fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran uptake and transformation studies. It is shown that when S. pombe cells are electroporated in the presence of PEG, the permeability state created is sustained until removal of PEG. In addition, the permeability of electroporated S. pombe envelopes is further increased with longer incubation times in PEG. The increased permeability is apparently a result of enlarged pores (electropores) due to the presence of PEG. Comparison of a heat pulse transformation protocol with electroporation suggests a second role for PEG in the uptake of macromolecules. Since pores are not thought to be created during a heat pulse, the PEG may be facilitating the uptake of plasmid DNA. This facilitation of uptake would also be expected to affect DNA uptake by electroporated cells.

• OSTI ID: 7044729
• Journal Information: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States), Journal Name: Applied and Environmental Microbiology; (United States) Vol. 58:4; ISSN 0099-2240; ISSN AEMID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

560300* -- Chemicals Metabolism & Toxicology
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
ALCOHOLS
BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CELL MEMBRANES
DNA
EUMYCOTA
FUNGI
GLYCOLS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
MEMBRANES
MICROORGANISMS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC POLYMERS
PERMEABILITY
PLANTS
PLASMIDS
POLYETHYLENE GLYCOLS
POLYMERS
UPTAKE
YEASTS