Ribonucleic Acid Synthesis During Morphogenesis in Myxococcus xanthus

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Abstract
Ribonucleic acid synthesis was measured during the morphogenesis of M. xanthus. After induction of microcyst formation by the addition of glycerol to an exponential culture, net ribonucleic acid (RNA) synthesis was immediately terminated (measured either chemically or by the accumulation of acid insoluble radioactivity). Extensive RNA turnover did take place, however, including RNA made both before and after induction. Sucrose gradient centrifugation revealed that ribosomes and ribosomal RNA were synthesized during microcyst formation even though there was no net RNA synthesis. Base analyses of the total RNA of vegetative cells and 120-min micro-cysts were indistinguishable.