Ca2+ -dependence and inhibition of transformation by trifluoperazine and chlorpromazine in Thermoactinomyces vulgaris.
Ca(2+) enhanced the transformation frequency of Thermoactinomyces vulgaris (stock no. 1278) of an auxotrophic strain by the chromosomal DNA isolated from a prototrophic strain (stock no. 1227). The number of transformants showed a marked increase with increasing concentration of CaCl(2) upto 0.05 mM; and above this concentration, the transformation frequency decreased significantly. Antipsychotic drugs that are potent calmodulin inhibitors, like trifluoperazine and chlorpromazine, when applied in the concentration range of 0.01-0.04 mM along with optimal CaCl(2) concentration to the cultures of the recipient cells, resulted in a significant inhibition in the frequency of Ca(2+)-stimulated transformation. The results of present investigation suggest the involvement of a Ca(2+)-dependent protein activator in the development of Ca(2+)-mediated competence, which could have played an important role in the enhancement of genetic transformation in this aerobic spore forming thermophilic actinomycete.
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India.
Kartiki
K
Bhatnagar
Ved Pal
VP
Singh
D002118:Calcium / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002122:Calcium Chloride / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008848:Micromonosporaceae / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics*; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial; D014268:Trifluoperazine / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*
D014268:Trifluoperazine; D002122:Calcium Chloride; D002118:Calcium; D002746:Chlorpromazine