Marinomonas mediterranea is a lysogenic bacterium that synthesizes R-bodies.
The melanogenic marine bacterium Marinomonas mediterranea synthesizes R-bodies as revealed by transmission electron microscopy. These structures were previously described in some obligate symbionts of paramecia and some free-living bacteria, none of which was isolated from sea water. In other micro-organisms, the synthesis of R-bodies has been related to extrachromosomal elements. Accordingly, M. mediterranea induction by mitomycin C or UV radiation resulted in the production of defective phages resembling bacteriocins, indicating that it is a lysogenic bacterium. Two mitomycin-C-resistant strains defective in prophage replication have been isolated. These mutants, and the previously obtained strains ngC1, T102 and T103, the latter mutated in the ppoS gene encoding a sensor histidine kinase, are affected not only in phage replication but also in polyphenol oxidase activities and melanin synthesis, suggesting a relationship between the control of all these processes.
Hernández-Romero
Diana
D
Department of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
Lucas-Elío
Patricia
P
Department of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
López-Serrano
Daniel
D
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
Solano
Francisco
F
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
Sanchez-Amat
Antonio
A
Department of Genetics and Microbiology, University of Murcia, 30100 Murcia, Spain.
D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D001435:Bacteriophages / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D020563:Gammaproteobacteria / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000648:ultrastructure / Q000821:virology*; D008242:Lysogeny; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D016685:Mitomycin / Q000494:pharmacology; D014779:Virus Replication
D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D016685:Mitomycin