Summary
In order to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of Ca2+-dependent competence in gramnegative bacteria and attempt was made to induce the competence at room temperature in presence of a proton conductor, carbonylcyanid-m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP).
Escherichia coli K12 cells treated with Ca2+ at 25° or 37°C in presence of CCCP became permeable for transforming plasmid and transfecting DNAs and DNA-binding antibiotic actinomycin C (AmC) and rubomycin (Rm) at room temperature. The efficiencies of transformation and transfection, however, were by 1–3 orders of magnitude lower compared to cells, treated with Ca2+ at 0°C, though both recipients did not differ significantly in their susceptibility to AmC and Rm. Possible mechanisms of Ca2+ action in both recipient systems are discussed in terms of molecular interactions.
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Sabelnikov, A.G., Domaradsky, I.V. Proton conductor vs. cold in induction of Ca2+-dependent competence in Escherichia coli . Molec. Gen. Genet. 172, 313–317 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00271731
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00271731