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. 1970 Jun;66(2):404–410. doi: 10.1073/pnas.66.2.404

Bacillus subtilis Mutant Altered in Spore Morphology and in RNA Polymerase Activity

Roy H Doi 1,*, Lyle R Brown 1, Gregory Rodgers 1, Yao-pi Hsu 1
PMCID: PMC283059  PMID: 4988921

Abstract

A Bacillus subtilis mutant, that was selected for rifampin resistance produces spores with an altered morphology. The mutant spores are pleomorphic and differ both in shape and size from the wild-type spores. They frequently have an exosporium that is usually absent from wild-type spores. The mutant spores are similar to the wild-type spores in heat resistance, dipicolinic acid content, and density, but exhibit a slower rate of germination, outgrowth, and growth. In vitro studies show that the RNA polymerase of the mutant is resistant to rifampin inhibition, whereas the wild-type enzyme is completely inhibited by low concentrations of the antibiotic. Rifampin resistance and the altered spore morphology are contransformed with 100% frequency, suggesting that the altered morphology is caused by an alteration in the RNA polymerase.

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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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