Increased recombinant frequencies with an Amber mutation in the Gal-operon of E. coli

1970 ◽  
Vol 107 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Börries Kemper
Keyword(s):  
Amber Mutation ◽  
E Coli

scholarly journals Conditional Lethal Amber Mutations in Essential Escherichia coli Genes

2004 ◽  
Vol 186 (9) ◽  
pp. 2673-2681 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Herring ◽  
Frederick R. Blattner
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Morphological Changes ◽  
Amber Mutation ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Antibiotic Development ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Peptidoglycan Synthesis ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Mutation System ◽  
Kinetics Of

ABSTRACT The essential genes of microorganisms encode biological functions important for survival and thus tend to be of high scientific interest. Drugs that interfere with essential functions are likely to be interesting candidates for antimicrobials. However, these genes are hard to study genetically because knockout mutations in them are by definition inviable. We recently described a conditional mutation system in Escherichia coli that uses a plasmid to produce an amber suppressor tRNA regulated by the arabinose promoter. This suppressor was used here in the construction of amber mutations in seven essential E. coli genes. Amber stop codons were introduced as “tagalong” mutations in the flanking DNA of a downstream antibiotic resistance marker by lambda red recombination. The drug marker was removed by expression of I-SceI meganuclease, leaving a markerless mutation. We demonstrate the method with the genes frr, gcpE, lpxC, map, murA, ppa, and rpsA. We were unable to isolate an amber mutation in ftsZ. Kinetics of cell death and morphological changes were measured following removal of arabinose. As expected given the wide range of cellular mechanisms represented, different mutants showed widely different death curves. All of the mutations were bactericidal except the mutation in gcpE, which was bacteriostatic. The strain carrying an amber mutation in murA was by far the most sensitive, showing rapid killing in nonpermissive medium. The MurA protein is critical for peptidoglycan synthesis and is the target for the antibiotic fosfomycin. Such experiments may inexpensively provide valuable information for the identification and prioritization of targets for antibiotic development.

scholarly journals THE INABILITY OF YEAST TRANSFER RNA TO SUPPRESS AN AMBER MUTATION IN AN E. coli SYSTEM

Genetics ◽  
1973 ◽  
Vol 73 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-28
Author(s):  
John A Kiger ◽  
Carol J Brantner
Keyword(s):  
Saccharomyces Cerevisiae ◽  
Transfer Rna ◽  
Amber Mutation ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Amber Suppressor ◽  
Suppressor Mutants

ABSTRACT Transfer RNA from super-suppressor mutants of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cannot suppress an amber mutation in vitro in an E. coli protein synthesizing system. It is tentatively concluded that the yeast amber suppressor does not contain a transfer RNA altered in the anticodon.

scholarly journals Mutant bias in nonlethal selections results from selective recovery of mutants.

Genetics ◽  
1991 ◽  
Vol 129 (3) ◽  
pp. 647-658 ◽  
Author(s):  
S A Benson ◽  
A M DeCloux ◽  
J Munro
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Background ◽  
Directed Mutagenesis ◽  
Amber Mutation ◽  
General Increase ◽  
Present Evidence ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Selection For ◽  
Phenotypic Fitness ◽  
Ompc Porin

Abstract We have characterized a nonlethal selection for mutations that allow Escherichia coli to grow on large maltodextrins (Dex+) in the absence of the lamB encoded maltoporin LamB. These Dex+ mutations occur before and after imposition of the selection and the selection does not result in a general increase in mutagenesis. The recovered Dex+ mutations are almost exclusively mutations that alter the ompF gene that encodes a major E. coli porin, OmpF even though analogous mutations in the homologous ompC gene, which encodes the OmpC porin, can confer a Dex+ phenotype. We show that the bias for ompF mutations results from a biased recovery and that the genetic background of the starting strain and the selection itself influences the type of mutants that are recovered. When we use a strain carrying an amber mutation in the lamB gene we observe the same preference for ompF mutations as when we start with a lamB deletion strain. In addition, we show that there is no preferential mutagenesis of the lamB gene during the selection which induces transcription of the lamB gene. We present evidence that the biased recovery of mutants observed in this selection does not result from adaptive or directed mutagenesis and that the phenotypic fitness which allows recovery of Dex+ mutants involves more than the increased ability to take up maltodextrins.

scholarly journals New indicator Escherichia coli strain for rapid and accurate detection of supF mutations

2020 ◽  
Vol 42 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruriko Fukushima ◽  
Tetsuya Suzuki ◽  
Hiroyuki Kamiya
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Indicator Strain ◽  
Coli Strain ◽  
Chromosomal Dna ◽  
Amber Mutation ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Accurate Detection ◽  
Mutation Spectra ◽  
Forward Mutation

Abstract Background The supF gene of Escherichia coli is useful for forward mutation analysis in bacterial and mammalian cells used in mutagenesis and DNA repair studies. Indicator E. coli strains, such as KS40/pOF105, have been used to analyze supF mutations. However, KS40/pOF105 is not enough to select supF mutants on nutrient-rich agar plates. Therefore, in this study, a new indicator E. coli strain for rapid and accurate detection of supF mutations was developed. Results The gyrA and rpsL genes with an amber mutation were integrated into the chromosomal DNA of E. coli KS40 to produce a new indicator strain, RF01. RF01 cells transformed by the wild-type supF gene were sensitive to nalidixic acid and streptomycin on LB agar plates. supF mutant frequencies and mutation spectra in RF01 were similar to those in KS40/pOF105. In addition, some mutations in supF were only detected in RF01. Conclusion RF01 is a new and useful indicator E. coli strain for analyzing supF mutations.

Endotoxin Alteration of the Mucopolysaccharide Blood Vessel Coating in Rats

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 148-149
Author(s):  
D. E. Philpott ◽  
A. Takahashi
Keyword(s):  
Skeletal Muscle ◽  
Endothelial Cells ◽  
Salivary Gland ◽  
Carotid Artery ◽  
Basement Membrane ◽  
Coronary Vessels ◽  
Ruthenium Red ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Old Rats ◽  
The Brain

Two month, eight month and two year old rats were treated with 10 or 20 mg/kg of E. Coli endotoxin I. P. The eight month old rats proved most resistant to the endotoxin. During fixation the aorta, carotid artery, basil arartery of the brain, coronary vessels of the heart, inner surfaces of the heart chambers, heart and skeletal muscle, lung, liver, kidney, spleen, brain, retina, trachae, intestine, salivary gland, adrenal gland and gingiva were treated with ruthenium red or alcian blue to preserve the mucopolysaccharide (MPS) coating. Five, 8 and 24 hrs of endotoxin treatment produced increasingly marked capillary damage, disappearance of the MPS coating, edema, destruction of endothelial cells and damage to the basement membrane in the liver, kidney and lung.

Ribosome Structural Organization

1974 ◽  
Vol 32 ◽  
pp. 332-333
Author(s):  
James A. Lake
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Proteins ◽  
Structural Organization ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Small Subunit ◽  
Structural Studies ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Specific Antibodies ◽  
X Ray ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Complete Sequences

The understanding of ribosome structure has advanced considerably in the last several years. Biochemists have characterized the constituent proteins and rRNA's of ribosomes. Complete sequences have been determined for some ribosomal proteins and specific antibodies have been prepared against all E. coli small subunit proteins. In addition, a number of naturally occuring systems of three dimensional ribosome crystals which are suitable for structural studies have been observed in eukaryotes. Although the crystals are, in general, too small for X-ray diffraction, their size is ideal for electron microscopy.

Sites of Adsorption of the Bacteriophages T3 and T5 on the Wall of Escherichia Coli B.

1967 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 96-97
Author(s):  
Manfred E. Bayer
Keyword(s):  
Escherichia Coli ◽  
Cell Wall ◽  
Electron Microscope ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Receptor Sites ◽  
Rigid Cell Wall ◽  
Host Cell Surface ◽  
Bacterial Viruses ◽  
Escherichia Coli B

Bacterial viruses adsorb specifically to receptors on the host cell surface. Although the chemical composition of some of the cell wall receptors for bacteriophages of the T-series has been described and the number of receptor sites has been estimated to be 150 to 300 per E. coli cell, the localization of the sites on the bacterial wall has been unknown.When logarithmically growing cells of E. coli are transferred into a medium containing 20% sucrose, the cells plasmolize: the protoplast shrinks and becomes separated from the somewhat rigid cell wall. When these cells are fixed in 8% Formaldehyde, post-fixed in OsO4/uranyl acetate, embedded in Vestopal W, then cut in an ultramicrotome and observed with the electron microscope, the separation of protoplast and wall becomes clearly visible, (Fig. 1, 2). At a number of locations however, the protoplasmic membrane adheres to the wall even under the considerable pull of the shrinking protoplast. Thus numerous connecting bridges are maintained between protoplast and cell wall. Estimations of the total number of such wall/membrane associations yield a number of about 300 per cell.

Emigration of neutrophils in the central nervous system

1983 ◽  
Vol 41 ◽  
pp. 788-789
Author(s):  
John L.Beggs ◽  
John D. Waggener ◽  
Wanda Miller ◽  
Jane Watkins
Keyword(s):  
Central Nervous System ◽  
Nervous System ◽  
Osmium Tetroxide ◽  
White Blood Cells ◽  
Arterial Perfusion ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Intracisternal Injection ◽  
The Central Nervous System ◽  
Brain And Spinal Cord ◽  
Interendothelial Junctions

Studies using mesenteric and ear chamber preparations have shown that interendothelial junctions provide the route for neutrophil emigration during inflammation. The term emigration refers to the passage of white blood cells across the endothelium from the vascular lumen. Although the precise pathway of transendo- thelial emigration in the central nervous system (CNS) has not been resolved, the presence of different physiological and morphological (tight junctions) properties of CNS endothelium may dictate alternate emigration pathways.To study neutrophil emigration in the CNS, we induced meningitis in guinea pigs by intracisternal injection of E. coli bacteria.In this model, leptomeningeal inflammation is well developed by 3 hr. After 3 1/2 hr, animals were sacrificed by arterial perfusion with 3% phosphate buffered glutaraldehyde. Tissues from brain and spinal cord were post-fixed in 1% osmium tetroxide, dehydrated in alcohols and propylene oxide, and embedded in Epon. Thin serial sections were cut with diamond knives and examined in a Philips 300 electron microscope.

Use of Uranium-Labeled Antibodies for Electron Microscopic Localization of Various Antigens in Mammalian Cells

1967 ◽  
Vol 25 ◽  
pp. 136-137
Author(s):  
J. P. Petrali ◽  
E. J. Donati ◽  
L. A. Sternberger
Keyword(s):  
Endoplasmic Reticulum ◽  
Hela Cells ◽  
Mammalian Cells ◽  
Specific Antiserum ◽  
Electron Microscopic ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Cytoplasmic Membranes ◽  
Viral Progeny ◽  
Ultrathin Sections ◽  
Electron Microscopic Localization

Specific contrast is conferred to subcellular antigen by applying purified antibodies, exhaustively labeled with uranium under immunospecific protection, to ultrathin sections. Use of Seligman’s principle of bridging osmium to metal via thiocarbohydrazide (TCH) intensifies specific contrast. Ultrathin sections of osmium-fixed materials were stained on the grid by application of 1) thiosemicarbazide (TSC), 2) unlabeled specific antiserum, 3) uranium-labeled anti-antibody and 4) TCH followed by reosmication. Antigens to be localized consisted of vaccinia antigen in infected HeLa cells, lysozyme in monocytes of patients with monocytic or monomyelocytic leukemia, and fibrinogen in the platelets of these leukemic patients. Control sections were stained with non-specific antiserum (E. coli).In the vaccinia-HeLa system, antigen was localized from 1 to 3 hours following infection, and was confined to degrading virus, the inner walls of numerous organelles, and other structures in cytoplasmic foci. Surrounding architecture and cellular mitochondria were unstained. 8 to 14 hours after infection, antigen was localized on the outer walls of the viral progeny, on cytoplasmic membranes, and free in the cytoplasm. Staining of endoplasmic reticulum was intense and focal early, and weak and diffuse late in infection.

Structural similarity of ribosomes from E. coli and A. salina

1978 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 242-243
Author(s):  
M. Boublik ◽  
R.M. Wydro ◽  
W. Hellmann ◽  
F. Jenkins
Keyword(s):  
Ribosomal Proteins ◽  
Direct Evidence ◽  
Structural Similarity ◽  
Carbon Support ◽  
Artemia Salina ◽  
Uranyl Acetate ◽  
Biological Assays ◽  
E Coli ◽  
And Function ◽  
Fine Carbon

Ribosomes are ribonucleoprotein particles necessary for processing the genetic information of mRNA into proteins. Analogy in composition and function of ribosomes from diverse species, established by biochemical and biological assays, implies their structural similarity. Direct evidence obtained by electron microscopy seems to be of increasing relevance in understanding the structure of ribosomes and the mechanism of their role in protein synthesis.The extent of the structural homology between prokaryotic and eukaryotic ribosomes has been studied on ribosomes of Escherichia coli (E.c.) and Artemia salina (A.s.). Despite the established differences in size and in the amount and proportion of ribosomal proteins and RNAs both types of ribosomes show an overall similarity. The monosomes (stained with 0.5% aqueous uranyl acetate and deposited on a fine carbon support) appear in the electron micrographs as round particles with a diameter of approximately 225Å for the 70S E.c. (Fig. 1) and 260Å for the 80S A.s. monosome (Fig. 2).

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