Mutagenesis during transformation of Bacillus subtilis. II. An increase in chemically-induced mutations during competency

Mutat Res. 1981 Oct;83(3):339-47. doi: 10.1016/0027-5107(81)90016-6.

Abstract

During the development of competency in Bacillus subtilis there was an increased sensitivity to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS) treatments. The frequency of reverse mutation also increased among the MMS-revertible markers by a factor of 100 as compared to vegetative cultures. The frequency of 2-aminopurine(AP)-induced mutagenesis was the same in competent and noncompetent cultures. Studies with DNA-polymerase-deficient mutants showed a direct involvement of DNA polymerase I in promoting MMS and transformation-induced mutagenesis in competent cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • 2-Aminopurine / pharmacology
  • Bacillus subtilis / genetics*
  • DNA Polymerase I / genetics*
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / genetics*
  • Gene Frequency
  • Methyl Methanesulfonate / pharmacology
  • Mutation* / drug effects
  • Transformation, Bacterial*

Substances

  • DNA, Bacterial
  • 2-Aminopurine
  • Methyl Methanesulfonate
  • DNA Polymerase I
  • DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase