title: Early intermediate state of transforming deoxyribonucleic acid during uptake by Bacillus subtilis.
abstract: Examination of the effects of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) on uptake of transforming deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) by Bacillus subtilis allowed definition of a new intermediate state of transforming DNA during uptake. Markers in this state, termed "EDTA-resistant," are bound to the cell, are sensitive to inactivation by deoxyribonuclease, but may become deoxyribonuclease-resistant despite the addition of excess EDTA. Markers become EDTA-resistant quadratically with time after the addition of DNA to a competent culture, but linearly after exposure of competent cells to a brief pulse of DNA. An attractive model consistent with these findings is that EDTA blocks only the initiation of entry of a molecule of DNA.
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism*; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000494:pharmacology; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000494:pharmacology; D005827:Genetics, Microbial; D008274:Magnesium / Q000494:pharmacology; D008956:Models, Chemical; D013941:Thymine; D013997:Time Factors; D014170:Transformation, Genetic / Q000187:drug effects; D014316:Tritium
chemical_list: D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D014316:Tritium; D004492:Edetic Acid; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases; D008274:Magnesium; D013941:Thymine