Effect of inhibition of DNA synthesis on u.v. sensitive Bs strains of Escherichia coli.

Abstract

The effect of nalidixic acid, a specific inhibitor of DNA synthesis, onEscherichia colistrain B (lon) and its u.v.-sensitive derivatives is examined. Strain B itself is sensitive to nalidixic acid, whereas its u.v.-resistant derivative B/r is resistant.It is shown that in allexr Astrains, in which u.v.-induced filamentation is suppressed, resistance to nalidixic acid is increased. Amongexr Astrains, Bs4 is exceptionally resistant to nalidixic acid. This is because nalidixic acid kills only growing cells and strain Bs4, atryauxotroph, may grow poorly under the conditions used to test nalidixic acid.Theuvrgenes of the HCR strains Bs1, Bs8 and Bs12 do not suppress u.v.-induced filamentation nor do they affect the response to nalidixic acid. Theuvrgene of strain Bs3 is unusual in increasing the tendency to filament and also sensitivity to nalidixic acid.Strains Bs1, Bs3 and Bs8 are all doubly mutated from strain B, the second mutation (notuvr) being responsible for their increased resistance to nalidixic acid as well as partially or completely suppressing filamentation.It is concluded that the cell division mechanism of (lon) strain B is sensitive to inhibition of DNA synthesis. Mutations which suppress the tendency of strain B to filament reduce its sensitivity to inhibition of DNA synthesis.