Open AccessBacillus subtilis Mutant Altered in Spore Morphology and in RNA Polymerase Activity
Author(s) -
Roy H. Doi,
Lisanne Brown,
Gregory Rodgers,
YaoPi Hsu
Publication year - 1970
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.011
H-Index - 771
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.66.2.404
Subject(s) - spore , dipicolinic acid , bacillus subtilis , mutant , biology , rna polymerase , microbiology and biotechnology , wild type , germination , polymerase , spore germination , bacillales , rna , enzyme , bacteria , biochemistry , genetics , gene , botany
ABacillus subtilis mutant, that was selected for rifampin resistance produces spores with an altered morphology. The mutant spores are pleomorphic and differ both in shape and size from the wild-type spores. They frequently have an exosporium that is usually absent from wild-type spores. The mutant spores are similar to the wild-type spores in heat resistance, dipicolinic acid content, and density, but exhibit a slower rate of germination, outgrowth, and growth.In vitro studies show that the RNA polymerase of the mutant is resistant to rifampin inhibition, whereas the wild-type enzyme is completely inhibited by low concentrations of the antibiotic. Rifampin resistance and the altered spore morphology are contransformed with 100% frequency, suggesting that the altered morphology is caused by an alteration in the RNA polymerase.