Analysis of the differentiation and of the heterogeneity within a population of Escherichia coli undergoing induced beta-galactosidase synthesis

Population analysis of the deinduction kinetics of galactose long-term adaptation mutants of yeast

By use of a selective galactose agar medium containing ethidium bromide, a population analysis of the deinduction kinetics of yeast galactose long-term adaptation mutants (gal 3) has been done. It was first determined that the gal 3 mutation is specific to the yeast galactose system and that induced cultures of gal 3 strains are capable of growth on galactose agar medium containing ethidium bromide, whereas noninduced cultures are not. Population analyses of induced gal 3 strains under going deinduction in the absence of galactose demonstrate that a minimum number of five induction units per cell are required for induction of the galactose system. It is concluded that: these induction units are actively synthesized only in the presence of inducer and are diluted out through cell division; they are stable under nongrowing conditions; they are heterogeneous in nature; at most two of the five minimum units are products of the gal 2 locus; and the other units may be three of one type, one of one type and two of another, or one each of three different types.

Genetic map of the lactose repressor gene (i) of Escherichia coli

39 tonB i(-) deletions were used to map 57 independently isolated i gene mutants. Methods selective for i(+) recombinants from various types of i mutants are described. i(+) recombination frequencies of 6 x 10(-6) to 6 x 10(-7) can be detected in the different selective systems. Twenty i(s) mutations and 12 i(-d) mutations map in distinct but different regions of the gene. i(-) (sus) mutations are scattered over the gene.

On the process of cellular division in Escherichia coli. VI. Use of a methocel-autoradiographic method for the study of cellular division in Escherichia coli

A technique allowing chain formation by Escherichia coli for the analysis of the segregation of certain cellular components by autoradiographic methods has been developed. Deoxyribonucleic acid labeled with (3)H-thymidine does not appear to segregate preferentially with one or another of the bacteria. Membrane lipids labeled with either (3)H-oleate or (3)H-glycerol are evenly distributed among all progeny cells. A similar pattern of distribution of cell wall material is observed when (3)H-diaminopimelate is used as the marker.

Relation between iron uptake, pH of growth medium, and penicillinase formation in Staphylococcus aureus

The uptake of iron and the formation of penicillinase was examined in cultures of wild-type Staphylococcus aureus. Uptake of iron was about twice as great at pH 4.7 as at pH 7.4 At pH 4.7, increase in iron uptake in the range of 1.0 to 4.0 mug per mg of bacterial protein was associated with a progressive increase in the rate of penicillinase formation, but a direct correlation between cellular iron content and rate of enzyme formation was not demonstrated. Addition of iron to deferrated medium enhanced penicillinase formation at pH 6.5 to 7.4 two- to fourfold in cultures induced with benzylpenicillin and in uninduced cultures. To demonstrate an effect on the uninduced cells, it was necessary to increase iron uptake by preliminary incubation of cells with iron in buffer. Calcium and certain other ions depressed iron uptake at acidic and at neutral pH, and, presumably as a result of this action, depressed the formation of penicillinase. Iron did not enhance penicillinase formation at pH 4.7 by two penicillinase constitutive mutants nor by wild-type cells undergoing induction at pH 6.5 by cephalosporin C or methicillin. After removal of cephalosporin C or methicillin during an early phase of induction, residual synthesis of enzyme was increased by prior uptake of iron. The results are considered compatible with the concept that uptake of iron, especially at acidic pH, interferes with the formation or function of penicillinase repressor.

Membrane structure and function

An understanding of the biochemical basis of membrane function is an important goal of present day biology. In this paper, a biochemical approach to the problem of the specific transport of sugars across the membrane of Escherichia coli is discussed. A new biochemical model for lactose transport system in this organism is presented, in which a specific membrane protein (M protein) plays the role of the sugar carrier. Experiments which have led to the discovery of such a protein, its specific labeling, and partial purification are briefly reviewed.