Inhibition of transformation of Bacillus subtilis by heavy metals.
Mercuric ions, as well as organomercuric ions and cadmium ions, can inhibit deoxyribonucleic acid-mediated transformation in Bacillus subtilis 168 without decreasing the viability of the total population. Differences in the inhibition of transformation by mercuric ions are identifiable on a temporal and concentration dependence basis. Sensitivity to low concentrations (9.2 x 10(-8) M) appears early in the uptake of deoxyribonucleic acid before the transformed markers have become insensitive to deoxyribonuclease. Resistance to "low concentrations" of Hg(2+) is kinetically indistinguishable from the requirement for magnesium in the transformation process. This inactivation is not reversed by the mercury-binding compound glutathione. Sensitivity to mercuric ions at a higher concentration (5.52 x 10(-7) M) occurs after the donor deoxyribonucleic acid has become insensitive to deoxyribonuclease. These complex interactions between mercuric ions and the process of transformation are discussed.
D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D001435:Bacteriophages; D002104:Cadmium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D004279:DNA, Viral; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D005978:Glutathione / Q000494:pharmacology; D007700:Kinetics; D008628:Mercury / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014170:Transformation, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects*
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004279:DNA, Viral; D002104:Cadmium; D004492:Edetic Acid; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases; D008628:Mercury; D005978:Glutathione