PHYSIOLOGICAL AND GENETIC FACTORS AFFECTING TRANSFORMATION OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS

Abstract
Transformation in Bacillus subtilis strain 168, from indole dependence to prototrophy, could be correlated with irreversible uptake of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA). Certain nutritional conditions altered quantitatively the relationship between DNA uptake and transformation. In strains of B. subtilis which did not sporulate readily on minimal medium (Sp-), the irreversible DNA uptake and the frequency of transformation were markedly reduced. The relationship of the sporulating trait and nutritional conditions to competency was discussed.