A Study on Pesticin Biosynthesis

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Abstract
Strains of Pasteurella pestis under certain conditions form a bacteriocin-like material, which has been named pesticin. Pesticin formation was induced by UV irradiation. A chemically defined medium composed of inorganic salts and amino acids supported the synthesis of pesticin by irradiated organisms. The minimal amino acid requirement for pesticin synthesis has been established. For the synthesis of pesticin at 37[degree]C the irradiated organisms required certain amino acids which they did not require at 27[degree]C. Bacteria in the stationary phase and activity dividing bacteria were equally able to produce pesticin upon irradiation. Concentrations of chloramphenicol lower than those required for bacteriostasis inhibited pesticin synthesis. Non-pesticin producing mutants of P. pestis were obtained by exposure of the bacteria to higher doses of UV radiation than those required for the induction of pesticin formation. These mutants were sensitive to pesticin.