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. 1976 Jun;126(3):1113–1118. doi: 10.1128/jb.126.3.1113-1118.1976

Calcium-requiring step in the uptake of deoxyribonucleic acid molecules through the surface of competent pneumococci.

H Seto, A Tomasz
PMCID: PMC233133  PMID: 7544

Abstract

The conversion of surface-adsorbed deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) molecules to a state in which they are inaccessible to exogenous deoxyribonuclease requires specifically calcium ions; magnesium ions cannot replace calcium ions. Virtually maximal levels of nuclease-resistant DNA binding and genetic transformation can be obtained in media free from magnesium and containing only calcium ions. It is suggested that the calcium-requiring process is the transport of DNA molecules across the plasma membrane. Magnesium ions stimulate both the loss of surface-adsorbed DNA to the medium and the extracellular degradation of DNA.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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