Genetic and enzymic studies on the recombination process in Bacillus subtilis.
We have isolated recombination deficient mutants of Bacillus subtilis on the basis of their sensitivity to methyl-methane-sulfonate or ultraviolet light, or of their inability to be transformed on solid medium. We have analyzed the mutants for several recombination and repair properties; we have grouped them in 5 classes on the basis of their phenotype and tested them for the activity of several enzymes acting on DNA, ie. DNA polymerase, polynucleotide ligase, ATP dependent DNase, and a DNase acting on single-stranded DNA. One mutant was found reduced in the latter DNase. Some of the mutants have been mapped, and they correspond to three different genes denominated rec D, rec F and rec G. All the recombination deficient mutants of B. subtilis described in the literature have been grouped in 7 classes; the mutations belong to 13 (and possibly 15) different genes distributed along the map. A coherent nomenclature and the criteria for a standard study of the rec mutants are proposed.
Mazza
G
G
Istituto di Genetica, Università di Pavia, Italy.
Fortunato
A
A
Ferrari
E
E
Canosi
U
U
Falaschi
A
A
Polsinelli
M
M
D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000528:radiation effects; D004260:DNA Repair; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000378:metabolism; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded / Q000378:metabolism; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000378:metabolism; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases / Q000378:metabolism; D008741:Methyl Methanesulfonate / Q000633:toxicity; D009153:Mutagens / Q000633:toxicity; D009154:Mutation; D011118:Polynucleotide Ligases / Q000378:metabolism; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D004277:DNA, Single-Stranded; D009153:Mutagens; D008741:Methyl Methanesulfonate; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase; D003851:Deoxyribonucleases; D011118:Polynucleotide Ligases