On the Nature of Competence of Transformable Streptococci

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Abstract
Transformable streptococci produce an exocellular factor provoking competence under certain conditions. Non-competent cultures become competent upon addition of this factor. The kinetics of conversion is concomitant with an enzymic reaction; the process is time and temperature dependent and the factor itself is heat sensitive. The action of the hypothetical enzyme on cells of a non-transformable streptococcus results in provocation of competence.