Mutagen stability of alkylation-sensitive mutants of Bacillus subtilis

J Bacteriol. 1972 Apr;110(1):47-55. doi: 10.1128/jb.110.1.47-55.1972.

Abstract

A series of mutations of Bacillus subtilis, conferring sensitivity to methyl methanesulfonate (MMS), were transferred by transformation to a suppressible his(-) stock. The introduction of certain sensitivity mutations prevented the ultraviolet- or MMS-induced, but not the spontaneous, reversion of his(-) to his(+). Not all sensitivity mutations led to this resistance to mutagenesis; a strain with altered deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) polymerase activity behaved almost normally with respect to its mutagen response, as did an excision-defective, ultraviolet-sensitive strain used as a control. One of the mutagen-stable strains responded to mutagenesis with nitrosomethylguanidine; another appeared stable even to this mutagen. All mutagen-stable strains had DNA polymerase and DNA ligase activity.

MeSH terms

  • Alkanes / pharmacology
  • Alkylating Agents / pharmacology*
  • Alkylation
  • Bacillus subtilis* / drug effects
  • Bacillus subtilis* / enzymology
  • Bacillus subtilis* / radiation effects
  • Centrifugation, Density Gradient
  • DNA
  • DNA Nucleotidyltransferases / analysis
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Deoxyribonucleases
  • Genetics, Microbial*
  • Histidine
  • Ligases / analysis
  • Mutagens / pharmacology*
  • Mutation
  • Nitrosoguanidines / pharmacology
  • Radiation Effects
  • Sulfonic Acids / pharmacology
  • Transformation, Genetic
  • Tritium
  • Ultraviolet Rays

Substances

  • Alkanes
  • Alkylating Agents
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Mutagens
  • Nitrosoguanidines
  • Sulfonic Acids
  • Tritium
  • Histidine
  • DNA
  • DNA Nucleotidyltransferases
  • Deoxyribonucleases
  • Ligases