Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Molecular mechanism of genetic recombination in bacterial transformation

  • Published:
Zeitschrift für Vererbungslehre Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

B. subtilis cells auxotrophic for two linked markers (ind-his, ind-tyr, his-tyr) have been transformed by means of DNA preparations obtained by hybridization of wild type DNA with the DNA of a strain auxotrophic for one of the linked markers. It was established that hybridization does not increase the transforming activity of DNA for the heterozygous marker. A genetic analysis of the progeny of cells transformed by hybrid or wild type DNA was performed. On the basis of the data obtained a model of genetic recombination in transformation is proved. According to this model both strands of the donor DNA interact independently with the chromosome, and either strand can be incorporated into the cell genome with equal probability. According to the estimate made on the basis of this hypothesis, the probability of integration of a single DNA strand carrying a particular genetic marker is 8%.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Bibliography

  • Bresler, S. E., R. A. Kreneva, V. V. Kushev, andM. I. Mosevitskií: The mechanism of messenger-RNA replication in bacteria. J. molec. Biol.8, 79 (1964).

    Google Scholar 

  • —,M. I. Mosevitskií, andA. L. Timkovskií: The irregular penetration of DNA into cells, accompanying bacterial transformation. Dokl. Acad. Nauk SSSR149, 721 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Fox, M. S., andR. D. Hotchkiss: Fate of transforming deoxyribonucleate following fixation by transformable bacteria. Nature (Lond.)187, 1002 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Greer, S., andS. Zamenhof: Studies on depurination of DNA by heat. J. molec. Biol.4, 123 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hayes, W.: The genetics of bacteria and their viruses. Oxford: Blackwell Sci. Publ. 1964.

    Google Scholar 

  • Herriott, R. M.: Formation of heterozygotes by annealing a mixture of transforming DNAs. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.)47, 146 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Jhler, Q., M. Meselson, andJ. Weigle: Genetic recombination in bacteriophage λ by means of breakage and reunion of DNA molecules. Virology21, 7 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kellenberger, G., M. L. Zichichi, andJ. J. Weigle: Exchange of DNA in the recombination of bacteriophage λ. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.)47, 869 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Kent, J. L., M. Roger, andR. D. Hotchkiss: On the role of integrity of DNA particles in genetic recombination during pneumococcal transformation. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.)50, 718 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lacks, S.: Molecular fate of DNA in genetic transformation ofPneumococcus. J. molec. Biol.5, 119 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Lederberg, J., andE. M. Lederberg: Replica plating and indirect selection of bacterial mutants. J. Bact.63, 399 (1952).

    Google Scholar 

  • Marmur, J., andD. Lane: Strand separation and specific recombination in deoxyribonucleic acids: biological studies. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.)46, 453 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • —,K. Rownd, andC. Schildkraut: Denaturation and renaturation of deoxyribonucleic acids. Progress in Nucleic Acid Research, vol. 1, p. 231. New York: Acad. Press 1963.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meselson, M., andJ. J. Weigle: Chromosome breakage accompanying genetic recombination in bacteriophage. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.)47, 857 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

  • Nester, E., M. Schafer, andJ. Lederberg: Gene linkage in DNA transfer: a cluster of genes conferred with aromatic biosynthesis inBacillus subtilis. Genetics48, 529 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • —, andB. A. D. Stocker: Biosynthetic latency in early stages of deoxyribonucleic acid transformation inBacillus subtilis. J. Bact.86, 785 (1963).

    Google Scholar 

  • Pritchard, R. H.: The linear arrangement of a series of alleles ofAspergillus nidulans. Heredity9, 343 (1955).

    Google Scholar 

  • —: Localized negative interference and its bearing on models of gene recombination. Genet. Res.1, 1 (1960).

    Google Scholar 

  • Stuy, T. H.: Radiation inactivation of transforming DNA. Doctoral thesis. Utrecht, Netherlands, 1961.

  • Suzuki, K., M. Yamagami, andN. Rebeyrotte: Quantitative estimation of the transforming activity of hybrid DNA. J. molec. Biol.5, 577 (1962).

    Google Scholar 

  • Voll, M. J., andS. H. Goodgal: Recombination during transformation inHemophilus influenzae. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.)47, 505 (1961).

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of High Molecular Weight Compounds of the Academy of Sciences of U.S.S.R., Lenmgrad, U.S.S.R.

    S. E. Bresler, R. A. Kreneva, V. V. Kushev & M. I. Mosevitskií

Authors
  1. S. E. Bresler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. R. A. Kreneva
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. V. V. Kushev
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. I. Mosevitskií
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

With 3 Figures in the Text

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Bresler, S.E., Kreneva, R.A., Kushev, V.V. et al. Molecular mechanism of genetic recombination in bacterial transformation. Zeitschrift für Vererbungslehre 95, 288–297 (1964). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00897013

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00897013

Keywords

Search

Navigation