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. 1974 Oct;120(1):219–226. doi: 10.1128/jb.120.1.219-226.1974

Inhibition of Transformation of Bacillus subtilis by Heavy Metals

David J Groves a,1, Gary A Wilson a, Frank E Young a
PMCID: PMC245753  PMID: 4213689

Abstract

Mercuric ions, as well as organomercuric ions and cadmium ions, can inhibit deoxyribonucleic acid-mediated transformation in Bacillus subtilis 168 without decreasing the viability of the total population. Differences in the inhibition of transformation by mercuric ions are identifiable on a temporal and concentration dependence basis. Sensitivity to low concentrations (9.2 × 10−8 M) appears early in the uptake of deoxyribonucleic acid before the transformed markers have become insensitive to deoxyribonuclease. Resistance to “low concentrations” of Hg2+ is kinetically indistinguishable from the requirement for magnesium in the transformation process. This inactivation is not reversed by the mercury-binding compound glutathione. Sensitivity to mercuric ions at a higher concentration (5.52 × 10−7 M) occurs after the donor deoxyribonucleic acid has become insensitive to deoxyribonuclease. These complex interactions between mercuric ions and the process of transformation are discussed.

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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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