Isolation and characterization of an archaebacterial viruslike particle from Methanococcus voltae A3

Journal Article · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989 · Journal of Bacteriology; (USA)

OSTI ID:7067548

Wood, A G; Konisky, J ^[1]; Whitman, W B ^[2]

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1. Univ. of Illinois, Urbana (USA)
2. Univ. of Georgia, Athens (USA)

Small amounts of 23-kilobase covalently closed circular DNA molecule were isolated from unwashed cells of Methanococcus voltae A3. Further investigation indicated the presence of greater quantities of the circular DNA in the culture supernatant, complexed with protein in a manner rendering the DNA resistant to DNase. Electron-microscopic examination of supernatant material revealed the presence of particles which morphologically resemble virus. Phenol extraction of viruslike particle preparations resulted in the recovery of DNase-sensitive open-circular DNA molecules. As many as 30 viruslike particles per cell were recovered from some cultures. Hybridization data clearly indicated the presence of a chromosomally integrated copy of the viruslike particle DNA. Although M. voltae PS was not observed to produce viruslike particles, DNA homologous to the viruslike particle DNA was detected in its chromosome. A mutant of M. voltae A3 was isolated which produced no particles; its DNA was deleted for 80% of the integrated viruslike particle DNA. Despite any similarities to lysogenic bacteriophages of eubacteria, neither infectivity nor inducibility of the viruslike particles could by demonstrated.

• DOE Contract Number: FG02-84ER13241
• OSTI ID: 7067548
• Journal Information: Journal of Bacteriology; (USA), Journal Name: Journal of Bacteriology; (USA) Vol. 171:1; ISSN JOBAA; ISSN 0021-9193
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550200* -- Biochemistry
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
BACTERIA
CELL CONSTITUENTS
CHROMOSOMES
DNA
DNA HYBRIDIZATION
DNA-ASE
ENZYMES
ESTERASES
HYBRIDIZATION
HYDROLASES
METHANOGENIC BACTERIA
MICROORGANISMS
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
MUTANTS
NUCLEIC ACIDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
PARASITES
PHOSPHODIESTERASES
PLASMIDS
VIRUSES