Archives of Microbiology

, Volume 124, Issue 2–3, pp 177–184 | Cite as

Mutation of the cyanobacterium Anacystis nidulans (Synechococcus PCC 6301): Improved conditions for the isolation of auxotrophs

  • M. Herdman
  • S. F. Delaney
  • N. G. Carr
Article
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Abstract

Previous attempts to isolate auxotrophic mutants of Anacystis nidulans produced only a limited range of phenotypes. The frequency of recovery of auxotrophic mutants has been quantified following different mutagenic and selective treatments, and their yield has been improved by using (1) a complete medium, (2) additional mutagens, (3) multiple cycles of penicillin enrichment and (4) altered pre-enrichment starvation conditions. These modified induction and selection conditions permitted the isolation of mutants defective in nitrate reductase, nitrite reductase or malate dehydrogenase, unable to reduce sulphate, or deficient in the synthesis of biotin, thiamine, paminobenzoate, serine, glutamate, adenine or uracil.

Key words

Anacystis nidulans Auxotroph Cyanobacteria Mutant isolation Synechococcus PCC 6301 Ethyl methanesulphonate 
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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1980

Authors and Affiliations

  • M. Herdman
    • 1
  • S. F. Delaney
    • 1
  • N. G. Carr
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of BiochemistryUniversity of LiverpoolLiverpoolEngland

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