Genetic Analysis of Oxytetracycline Resistance in Bacillus subtilis by means of Transformation

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Abstract
Mutants of Bacillus subtilis resistant to oxytetracycline were produced and DNA prepared from them used for transforming a sensitive strain. DNA from a first-step mutant seemed to transmit a single genetic factor. On the other hand, bacteria transformed with DNA from a second-step mutant showed a trimodal distribution of resistance, suggesting that at least two factors were involved in the process. Transformation with DNA from clones belonging to the first and second peaks of the distribution showed that such clones transmitted a single genetic factor for oxytetracycline resistance, while DNA from clones of the third peak transformed sensitive bacteria in a way similar to that of the second step. The results suggest that the two factors are linked and that they have a cumulative effect on drug resistance.