Open AccessAn RNA Polymerase Mutation Causing Temperature-Sensitive Sporulation in Bacillus subtilis
Author(s) -
Terrance Leighton
Publication year - 1973
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.70.4.1179
Subject(s) - bacillus subtilis , mutant , rna polymerase , biology , polymerase , microbiology and biotechnology , rna , mutation , spore , enzyme , biochemistry , bacteria , genetics , gene
A single-site mutant ofBacillus subtilis with a rifampin-resistant RNA polymerase has been isolated; this mutation causes temperature-sensitive sporulation. The temperature-sensitive mutation was only expressed during a limited time period, covering the middle third of the sporulation sequence. Mutant cells grown at the nonpermissive temperature exhibited the normal change in RNA polymerase template specificity, accumulated extracellular proteolytic activity and antibiotic activity, but failed to accumulate alkaline phosphatase and, hence, were blocked at or near stage III in the sporulation sequence. Pulse-labeled RNA synthesis was seriously deranged during postexponential growth phase in mutant cells incubated at the nonpermissive temperature.