STUDIES ON UNBALANCED GROWTH IN ESCHERICHIA COLI

Open Access
Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
A thymine-requiring mutant of E. coli is capable of cytoplasmic syntheses in the absence of appreciable deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis. Such unbalanced growth of the cytoplasm leads to the irreversible loss of the power to multiply. Bacteria which lack an appreciable DNA synthesis may nevertheless synthesize xylose isomerase in response to the presence of the inducing substance, xylose. Evidence was presented to indicate that UV radiation may also produce death by unbalanced growth. It appears that the mechanism of this radiation effect is also a consequence of the inhibition of DNA synthesis.