Figure 2.

The lack of RecA exacerbates MMC-mediated competence induction. WT and recA⁻ cells were cultivated in C+Y medium adjusted to a pH non-permissive for spontaneous competence development. Cell density (OD₄₉₂) is shown in the upper panels and competence gene expression (RLU.OD₄₉₂⁻¹ × 10³) in the lower panels recorded every 10 min. After 70 min of growth, MMC was added at the indicated concentrations, shown as light grey-blue to dark grey-blue for WT cells and light brown to dark brown for recA⁻ cells. The curves represent the mean of two replicates. Standard deviations are omitted for clarity. Double arrowheads depict the X_A period.