Abstract
Thirty-three wild type strains of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata were examined for ability to engage in genetic recombination through mediation by “gene transfer agent” (GTA) particles. The genetic exchange assays were based on capacity of strains to produce or receive GTA required for restoration of photosynthetic growth competence to a non-photosynthetic “white” mutant or for acquisition of resistance to rifampicin. A majority of the strains could either produce or receive GTA, and it was demonstrated that the agent is species specific. Possible relations between GTA and bacteriophages or bacteriocins were investigated. Sixteen types of virulent phages active on Rps. capsulata were isolated and their host ranges determined. Tests for transduction by the phages gave uniformly negative results. The viruses showed strict species specificity, but there was no apparent correlation between capacity of the Rps. capsulata strains to donate or receive GTA and susceptibility to the phages. A comparable survey disclosed that most of the bacterial strains were sensitive to or capable of producing bacteriocins; the latter also appear to be unrelated to GTA activity. The collection of bacterial strains was also screened for detection of lysogenic properties. None of the isolates is a “true” lysogen, but phages were detected in cultures of two strains, which may be “phage carriers” or pseudolysogens.
References
Adams, M. H.: Bacteriophages. New York-London-Sydney: Interscience 1959
Barksdale, L., Arden, S. B.: Persisting bacteriophage infections, lysogeny, and phage conversions. Ann. Rev. Microbiol. 28, 265–299 (1974)
Bradley, D. E.: Ultrastructure of bacteriophages and bacteriocins. Bact. Rev. 31, 230–314 (1967)
Brock, T. D., Peacher, B., Pierson, D.: Survey of the bacteriocines of enterococci. J. Bact. 86, 702–707 (1963)
Guest, J. R.: Bacteriocinogeny in the Athiorhodaceae. J. gen. Microbiol. 81, 513–515 (1974)
Hayes, W.: The genetics of bacteria and their viruses. New York: Wiley 1968
Marrs, B.: Genetic recombination in Rhodopseudomonas capsulata. Proc. nat. Acad. Sci. (Wash.) 71, 971–973 (1974)
Marrs, B., Solioz, M., Yen, H.-C.: Production of gene transfer agent by Rhodopseudomonas capsulata. Abs. Ann. Meet. Amer. Soc. Microbiol., p. 109 (1975)
Meynell, G. G., Meynell, E.: Theory and practice in experimental bacteriology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press 1970
Schmidt, L. S., Yen, H.-C., Gest, H.: Bioenergetic aspects of bacteriophage replication in the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas capsulata. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 165, 229–239 (1974)
Solioz, M., Marrs, B.: Characterization of gene transfer agent of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata. Abs. Ann. Meet. Amer. Soc. Microbiol., p. 110 (1975)
Solioz, M., Yen, H.-C., Marrs, B.: Release and uptake of gene transfer agent by Rhodopseudomonas capsulata. J. Bact. 123, 651–657 (1975)
Wall, J. D., Gest, H.: Prospects for the molecular biology of photosynthetic bacteria. In: Proceedings of the Third International Congress on Photosynthesis, M. Avron, ed., pp. 1179–1188. Amsterdam: Elsevier 1974
Weaver, P. F., Wall, J. D., Gest, H.: Characterization of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata. Arch. Microbiol. 105, 207–216 (1975)
Yen, H.-C., Gest, H.: Regulation of biosynthesis of aspartate family amino acids in the photosynthetic bacterium Rhodopseudomonas palustris. Arch. Microbiol. 101, 187–210 (1974)
Zilinsky, J. W., Sojka, G. A., Gest, H.: Energy charge regulation in photosynthetic bacteria. Biochem. biophys. Res. Commun. 42, 955–961 (1971)
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wall, J.D., Weaver, P.F. & Gest, H. Gene transfer agents, bacteriophages, and bacteriocins of Rhodopseudomonas capsulata . Arch. Microbiol. 105, 217–224 (1975). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00447140
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00447140