Synchronous division induced in Escherichia coli K12 by gemts mutants of phage Mu

• Published in: Molecular & general genetics Vol. 218; no. 1; p. 13
• Main Authors: Paolozzi, L, Nicosia, A, Liebart, J C, Ghelardini, P
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01-07-1989
• Subjects: Ampicillin Resistance; Bacteriolysis; Bacteriophage mu - genetics; Bacteriophage mu - physiology; Cell Cycle; Cell Division; Escherichia coli - cytology; Escherichia coli - genetics; Lysogeny; Mutation; Plasmids; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0026-8925
• DOI: 10.1007/BF00330559

Infection with the bacteriophage mutant Mu c+ gemts2 at 42 degrees C induces synchrony in cell division in cultures of Escherichia coli K12. This synchrony may last for several cycles and is not only due to selection since synchronization is observed even when bacterial survival to the infection is over 80% as in lysogens for Mu c+ gemts2. The mechanism by which synchrony is induced is not known, but since the product of Mu gene gem (previously called lig) has been shown to interact with the enzymatic system in the bacteria controlling the degree of DNA supercoiling, the phenomenon could be a consequence of this interaction.