ABSTRACT
Complete genome sequencing was performed for Anabaena variabilis ATCC 29413 from the collection of the Chair of Genetics, Department of Biology, Moscow State University, Russia. In addition to known plasmids A, B, and C, a new circular low-copy plasmid was detected and named D. It was also sequenced completely and found to have 27051 bp. The plasmid contained the parA and parB genes of the partition system, two genes that encode replication proteins, a gene for site-specific recombinase, atype-I restriction-modification system, and several genes with unknown functions. Analysis by PCR revealed the presence of plasmid D in two epiphytic strains from Vietnam, i.e., Anabaena sp. 182 and Anabaena sp. 281, as well as in Anabaena sp. V5 and A. azollae (Newton's isolate).
Subject(s)
Anabaena variabilis/genetics , Plasmids/genetics , Anabaena variabilis/isolation & purification , DNA Nucleotidyltransferases , Genes, Bacterial , Sequence Analysis, DNA , VietnamABSTRACT
The influence of the of radiation a He-Ne laser (632.8 nm, 30 W/m2, 5-20 J/m2) on the transformation of Escherichia coli cells with plasmid DNA was studied. The irradiation of a mixture of bacterial cells and plasmid DNA increased the transformation efficiency 2.5-3 times, thus offering an alternative to the heat treatment commonly used. In contrast to the standard techniques, the laser-induced increase in the transformation efficiency was accompanied by a 1.7- to 2-fold increase in cell survival. The effect of the 632.8-nm light, know to be absorbed by membrane porphyrin components, is supposed to be mediated via a modification in the replication and transformation DNA-membrane complexes in E. coli cells.
Subject(s)
DNA, Recombinant , Escherichia coli/radiation effects , Lasers , Plasmids , Transformation, Bacterial , Escherichia coli/geneticsABSTRACT
The mutagenic action of near ultraviolet (NUV, greater than or equal to 280) nm) on purple phototrophic soil bacteria Rhodobacter sphaeroides: wild strain 2R and 12 mutants obtained earlier sensitive to UV derivates (UVS) was investigated. The mutagenic action of NUV was measured by induction of resistance to tetracycline (Tet) and nalidixic acid (Nal) and reversion of pigment mutants to wild-type phenotype. The NUV light induces the mutations of resistance to Nal and Tet in wild-type strain 2R; the UVS mutants differed greatly in their NUV-induced mutability. Three UVS mutants were characterized by greatly increased mutability in all analysed loci; slight mutability was found in seven mutants. On the basis of the data obtained it has been concluded that the UVS mutants R. sphaeroides can be used as test organisms in estimation of mutagenic activity of NUV. The molecular mechanisms and genetic control of NUV-induced mutagenesis are discussed.
Subject(s)
Mutation , Rhodobacter sphaeroides/radiation effects , Soil Microbiology , Ultraviolet Rays , Drug Resistance, Microbial/genetics , Drug Resistance, Microbial/radiation effects , Nalidixic Acid/antagonists & inhibitors , Rhodobacter sphaeroides/genetics , Tetracycline Resistance/genetics , Tetracycline Resistance/radiation effectsABSTRACT
The survival rate and reversions to tryptophan-independence of Escherichia coli after XeCl laser irradiation (lambda = 308 nm) within the dose range from 10(3) to 10(5) J/m2 have been studied to show that LD37 is 10(4) J/m2, the survival rate at a maximum dose of 10(5)J/m2 is 1 per cent, and the number of mutants per 10(6) cells survived is 100.
Subject(s)
Escherichia coli/radiation effects , Genes, Lethal , Lasers , Mutation , Escherichia coli/geneticsABSTRACT
Lethal, mutagenic and recombonogenic action of the solar radiation on the model microorganisms--phage T4, bacteria Escherichia coli and ascomycet Aspergillus nidulans--has been studied. A considerable lethal effect of the solar radiation on phage T4 and E. coli was found. An increasing of mutation frequency in E. coli and A. nidulans by sunlight was also revealed. Recombinogenic action of solar radiation has been demonstrated in the experiments with diploid A. nidulans strains. It was shown that the excision and postreplication repair systems took part in recovery of damages induced by sunlight. An important role of ultra-violet region (280-320 nm) solar radiation in induction of lethal and mutagenic effects was demonstrated for all investigated microorganisms.
