INDUCIBLE LYTIC SYSTEMS IN THE GENUS BACILLUS,
Abstract
Many different strains of Bacillus cereus and members of other species of the genus Bacillus can be induced to lysis by exposure to the proper concentration of mitomycin C, the radiomimetic drug. For some bacilli, induction occurred only in casamino acids medium but not in nutrient broth-yeast extract medium, whereas other bacilli exhibited the opposite behavior. The efficiency of induction is a function both of the growth phase of the culture and of the concentration of mitomycin C. Induction of lysis in Bacillus thuringiensis resulted in release of edema factor and phospholipase into the medium. Mitomycin C-induced lysis of B. cereus can be prevented by adding chloramphenicol, actinomycin D, or 5fluorouracil deoxyriboside up to 40 minutes after induction. There appeared to be no sequential loss of susceptibility to inhibition by these compounds as expected. The lytic systems involved resemble defective lysogeny in nearly all respects. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1964
- Accession Number
- AD0430484
Entities
People
- Harold B. Stull
- Robert A. Altenbern
Organizations
- United States Army Biological Warfare Laboratories