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.
Bhatnagar
Kartiki
K
Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology Laboratory, Department of Botany, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007, India.
Singh
Ved Pal
VP
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