Showing papers in "Bacteriological Reviews in 1976"

Ultraviolet mutagenesis and inducible DNA repair in Escherichia coli.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION .............................................................. 869 Enzymatic Repair of UV Damage in E. coli ......... .......................... 869 Error-Proof and Error-Prone Pathways of DNA Repair ....... ................. 871 The \"SOS\" Hypothesis: the Regulatory Role of DNA Damage ...... ............ 874 EVIDENCE FOR THE INDUCIBILITY OF ERROR-PRONE REPAIR (\"SOS REPAIR\") ACTIVITY ..................................................... 875 SOS Repair of Bacteriophage DNA ............ ............................... 875 SOS Repair of Bacterial DNA ................ ................................ 876 Evidence from studies of repair-deficient mutants ....... .................... 876 Evidence from studies of postreplication repair ........ ...................... 879 MANIFESTATIONS OF SOS REPAIR AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE ..... ...... 879 Mutation Frequency Response to Increasing Fluence of UV Radiation ..... ..... 879 The UV Lesion Responsible for Induction of SOS Functions.................... 880 Kinetics of Induction and Decay of SOS Repair Activity ....... ................ 882 Time of Action of SOS Repair in UV Mutagenesis ...... ........................ 882 Cryptic Premutational Lesions Susceptible to SOS Repair ...................... 884 Mutator Effect of SOS Repair on Undamaged DNA ....... ..................... 885 PLASMIDS AND SOS REPAIR ................................................ 886 MECHANISM OF SOS REPAIR ............................................... 886 Mechanism of SOS Repair in Bacteriophage ......... .......................... 886 Mechanism of SOS Repair in Bacteria ........... ............................. 887 IMPLICATIONS OF SOS REPAIR FOR CARCINOGENESIS ................... 888 REGULATION OF SOS REPAIR AND OTHER UV-INDUCIBLE FUNCTIONS . 889 PROTEASES AND THE EXPRESSION OF SOS FUNCTIONS .................. 894 CONCLUSIONS ............................................................... 895 APPENDIX................................................................... 896 LITERATURE CITED ......................................................... 898

Recalibrated linkage map of Escherichia coli K-12.

Abstract: [This corrects the article on p. 116 in vol. 40.].

Microbial water stress.

Abstract: A fellow of my acquaintance, on seeing a colleague drink undiluted water (55.5 molal), has been known to comment in disapproval that water at such a concentration should not be used for that purpose and that its main function is for putting around the outside of boats. He conceded that dilution with a little salt is acceptable for boats but for no other purpose. The proponent of this philosophy is not a biologist and it is unlikely that many biologists would accept his generalization without some qualification. Nevertheless, it is a point of view. Another point of view with which all biologists might not agree, at least initially, is one which I wish to advance in this review. It is that, notwithstanding the indispensability of water in living systems and the unique properties of solvent water, quantitative variations in the amount of water available are of less direct microbiological significance than is generally conceded.

Degradation of purines and pyrimidines by microorganisms.

Abstract: [This corrects the article on p. 403 in vol. 40.].

The antibiotic cerulenin, a novel tool for biochemistry as an inhibitor of fatty acid synthesis.

Abstract: One ofthe most versatile uses of antibiotics is as potent drugs for clinical application. In recent years, attention has also been paid to agricultural uses of antibiotics, such as for feed additives for protecting plants and livestock against infectious diseases and for accelerating their growth. They are also used as food additives to retain freshness for an extended period. The usefulness of antibiotics is not limited only to our daily needs, but also encompasses our research interests: they offer us remarkable experimental devices for biochemistry novel biochemical tools, which have made a significant contribution to progress in this field (18). Cerulenin, an antibiotic discovered by Hata et al. in 1960, was originally found as an antifungal antibiotic (30). Studies of its mode of action have revealed that it specifically inhibits the biosynthesis of fatty acids and sterols involving yeasts (55, 56). It should be particularly noted that such specificity of cerulenin has been used by investigators in various fields of biochemistry. In this connection, the present review deals with studies, which have hitherto been reported, on the production, isolation, structure, and mode of action of cerulenin and its application as a biochemical tool. Unfortunately, the instability of the antibiotic in the animal body prevents its use in therapy as an antimicrobial agent or as an antilipogenic agent.

Cyclic adenosine 5'-monophosphate in Escherichia coli.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION ................ ROLE OF CYCLIC AMP IN REGULATION OF GENE EXPRESSION .......... A Positive Element in Gene Expression ...................................... CRP .......................... :........................................... Direct stimulation of gene expression ...................................... Possible Role As a Negative Element ......................................... Does Cyclic AMP Rave Other Actions in E. co .............................. OPERON ACTIVATION BY CYCLIC AMP .................................... Genetic analysis of the lac promoter ....................................... CONTROL OF CYCLIC AMP LEVELS ........................................ Adenylate Cyclase ........................................................... Cyclic AMP Phosphodiesterase ...................................... Cyclic AMP Release ......................................................... Rate of Cyclic AMP Synthesis ............................................... CYCLIC AMP RECEPTOR PROTEIN ........................................ Physical properties of CRP ................................................ Cyclic AMP binding .... Promoter-specific DNAbinding. Effects of cyclic AMP on CRP structure .................................... CYCLIC AMP AND BACTERIOPHAGE A ...................................... CYCLIC GMP ................................................................ CONCLUSION ................................................................ LITERATURE CITED ........................................................

Microorganisms and cyanide.

Abstract: The susceptibility of cytochrome oxidases to cyanide means that cyanide is toxic to living cells and cyanide pollution causes great damage to microbial and other ecosystems. Cyanide pollution comes from both industrial wastes and a number of plants, many of agricultural importance, which are cyanogenic and release cyanide into the soil. Despite some understanding of the pathway of cyanide assimilation by aerobic microorganisms, there is little known about cyanide assimilation by anaerobic microorganisms. The author discusses cyanide production, utilization, degradation, and resistance by microorganisms. He concludes that among the most primitive organisms were some that could metabolize cyanide, perhaps in conjunction with other carbon and nitrogen sources. 199 references, 4 figures, 2 tables.

Who discovered bacteriophage

Abstract: INTRODUCTION.............................................................. 793 TWORrS DISCOVERY ......... ............................ 794 D'HERELLE'S DISCOVERY ............... ...................... 795 THE DISCOVERY OF TWORTS DISCOVERY ............................... 797 THE CONTROVERSY GRIOWS .................. ................... 798 D'HERELLE IS DISCREDITED ..................................... 799 DID D'HERELLE DISCOVER PHAGE IN 1910? .............................. 800 CONCLUSIONS ........... ................................ 800 LITERATURE CITED..................................... 801

Extrachromosomal elements as possible agents of adaptation and development.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION............................................................. 552 MOLECULAR MECHANISMS OF EVOLUTION ....... ........................ 553 INSUFFICIENCY OF THE CLASSICAL MECHANISM(S) ...... ................ 553 Two Types of Molecular Evolution ............................................ 553 Role of Mutation ............................................................ 554 MUTATION: A REEXAMINATION ........... ................................. 555 STREPTOMYCIN RESISTANCE: A COMPARISON OF TWO ADAPTIVE MODES 556 TERMINOLOGY OF ECEs ................ .................................... 557 ECOLOGY OF ECEs......................................................... 558 HOST RANGES OF ECEs IN NATURAL ECOSYSTEMS ...... ................. 560 GENES CARRIED BY ECEs .............. .................................... 561 GENETIC \"COMPLEXITY\" OF A PROKARYOTIC SPECIES ...... ............ 563 GENETIC PROCESSES MEDIATED BY ECEs ....... ......................... 567 Dissemination of Existing Genes ........... .................................. 567 cell-to-ECE-to-cell gene transfer ............................................ 567 phage conversion........................................................... 567 ECE-to-cell-to-ECE gene transfer .......... ................................ 568 Genome Sizing ............................................................... 568 Controlled Randomization of Genomes ........................................ 568 IS elements and phage Mu ............. .................................... 568 permuted phage genomes ................................................... 569 Natural Genetic Engineering ............. .................................... 569 processes of polynucleotide exchange involving resident homology ..... ....... 569 polynucleotide exchange involving nonresident homology ...... .............. 571 evolution of R factors in bacteria .......... .............. ..................... 572 significance of sequence duplication in natural genetic engineering ..... ...... 572 universality and frequency of natural genetic engineering ...... .............. 574 Miscellaneous......................................... ..................... 575 OTHER EVIDENCE FOR POSSIBLE PROCESSES OF ECE-MEDIATED POLYNUCLEOTIDE EXCHANGE ........... ................................. 575 Dispersed State of Specific (Plant) Proteins ........ ........................... 575 \"Simultaneous\" Appearance of Similar Genes in Unrelated Organisms ..... ..... 575 PROCESSES OF POLYNUCLEOTIDE EXCHANGE AMONG EUKARYOTES ... 576 POSSIBLE INVOLVEMENT OF ECEs (RNA TUMOR VIRUSES) IN EMBRYOGENESIS ............................................................... 576 RNA TUMOR VIRUSES IN INTERSPECIFIC GENE TRANSFER ..... ......... 577 RNA TUMOR VIRUSES AND REGULATORY PROCESSES IN HIGHER ORGANISMS ................................................................. 578 EPIGENETIC ELEMENTS IN ANIMALS AND IN PLANTS ...... .............. 578 POSSIBLE CANDIDATES FOR EPIGENETIC AGENTS IN PLANTS ..... ...... 579 Viroids...................................................................... 579 Control Elements ............................................................. 579 Geometrical Plant Viruses .......... ......................................... 579 AN INTEGRATED THEORY OF EVOLUTION ................................ 580 LITERATURE CITED...................................... 582

Antony van Leeuwenhoek: tercentenary of his discovery of bacteria.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION Three hundred years ago Anthony van Leeuwenhoek (Fig. 1) wrote some of the most remarkable and significant communications in all scientific literature. According to Dobell (6), about 200 letters and manuscripts were addressed to the Royal Society of London, and to other notable organizations and people. Several of the more important of these communications deal with the discovery of microorganisms, especially bacteria, in 1676. Besides the documents in the Royal Society's archives, a few are preserved in the University Library at Leiden, the Municipal Museum at The Hague, the National Library in Florence, and in the Leibniz Collection at Hanover. Since Leeuwenhoek was proficient only in his native language, all his original correspondence was in Dutch. However, many of his letters were delivered after being transcribed into Latin, and some have been translated into English or other languages and so published. Leeuwenhoek's letters usually told of new discoveries, often in entirely different fields. His wide-ranging investigations and microscopy observations appear as isolated pieces of information in his curious search for truth about Nature, rather than as systematically organized and extensive studies on a few subjects (6, 8). The extraordinary variety of things investigated by Leeuwenhoek cover an immense field and contain studies on matters botanical, chemical, microbiological, physical, physiological, medical, and zoological. These have been compiled by Miall (9) and Richardson (10), and include observations in part of the following.

Killer of Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a double-stranded ribonucleic acid plasmid.

Abstract: Yeast Genetics ........................................................... 759 Inheritance of the Killer Character in Wild-Type Strains ..... ................. 759 KILLER PLASMID MUTANTS................................................ 760 Neutral Plasmid Mutants.................................................... 760 Suppressive Plasmid Mutants ............................................... 762 Diploid-Dependent Plasmid Mutants ......... ................................ 762 CHROMOSOMAL GENES INVOLVED IN KILLER PLASMID EXPRESSION AND REPLICATION ........................................................... 762 Chromosomal Killer Expression (kex) and Resistance Expression (rex) Genes . . 762 Mating and Sporulation Defects of kex2 Mutants ...... ....................... 764 Chromosomal Genes Essential for Plasmid Maintenance or Replication ... ..... 764 EVIDENCE THAT THE KILLER PLASMID IS A dsRNA SPECIES IN VIRUS-

Immunocompetent cells in resistance to bacterial infections.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION .................................... 284 Nonspecific Resistance to Infection .......................................... 284 Specific Resistance to Infection .............................................. 285 CELLS INVOLVED IN HUMORAL ANTIBODY PRODUCTION ............. 285 CELLS INVOLVED IN CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNITY ................. 287 HUMORAL ANTIBODIES IN RESISTANCE TO BACTERIAL INFECTION ... 289 Agglutinins ................................................................. 289 Opsonins .................................................................. 289 Precipitins .................................................................. 290 Bacteriolysins .............................................................. 290 Other Antibacterial Antibodies .............................................. 290 CELL-MEDIATED IMMUNE MECHANISMS IN RESISTANCE TO BACTERIAL INFECTION .............................................................. 291 Migration Inhibition Factor ................................................. 291 Macrophage Chemotactic Factor ............................................. 291 Chemotactic Factor for Leukocytes .......................................... 292 Blastogenic Factor for Lymphocytes ......................................... 292 Transfer Factor ............................................................. 292 BACTERIAL ADJUVANTS ............................... 292 Lipopolysaccharide .......................................................... 292 BordeteUa pertussis .................. ....................................... 293 Mycobacteria and Mycobacterial Components ............... ........... 294 Corynebacterium parvum and Nocardia ....................................... 294 Listeria monocytogenes .................... ........................ 294 Other Bacterial Adjuvants ............................................ 294 ROLE OF MACROPHAGES ............................................ 294 Stimulation of Macrophages by Other Cells and Factors ........ ............... 295 Stimulation of Macrophages by Antibodies ................. .................. 295 Stimulation of Macrophages by Bacteria ..................................... 295 Stimulation of Macrophages by Chemicals ................... ................. 295 Effects of Macrophages and Macrophage Products on Other Cells ..... ......... 296 Macrophage Mediators .................................................... 296 ROLE OF THYMUS-DERIVED CELLS (T CELLS) ........... ................ 296 Stimulation of T Lymphocytes by Antigens ........... ........................ 297 Stimulation of T Lymphocytes by Mitogens ........... ........................ 297 Specificity of Resistance to Bacterial Infections ......... ..................... 297 ROLE OF BONE MARROW-DERIVED CELLS ............. .................. 298 B Cells in Humoral Antibody Production ............. ........................ 298 Bone Marrow-Derived Cells in Cell-Mediated Immunity ....... ................ 298 SUMMARY ........................ ............................ 300 Macrophages ........................................................... 300 T Lymphocytes ............................................................ 300 B Cells ........................................................... 300 LITERATURE CITED .................................................... 300

Robert Koch and two visions of microbiology.

Abstract: INTRODUCTION ................ ................................ 276 WAKSMAN ON THE TWO VISIONS ......................................... 277 PLEOMORPHISM: KOCH VERSUS WINOGRADSKY .......... ............... 278 PROCESS AND ESSENCE IN MICROBIOLOGY ............ ................. 279 CONCLUSIONS ............... ................................. 281 LITERATURE CITED .............. ............................. 282

Lazzaro Spallanzani's Opuscoli of 1776.

Abstract: Lazzaro Spallanzani's (1729-1799; Fig. 1) disputations with John Turberville Needham (1713-1781) and Georges Louis Leclerc, Comte de Buffon (1707-1788), reached their apogee in 1776 with the publication, at Modena, ofPhysical Observations on Animals and Plants (Opuscoli de Fisica, Animale e Vegetabile) (Fig. 2). The book is subtitled Observations and Experiments on Infusion Animalcula Occasioned by an Examination of Some Articles from a New Work by Mr. Needham (Osservazioni e Sperienze intorno agli Animalucci delle Infusioni in occasioni che si esaminano alcuni Articoli della nuova Opera del Sig. de Needham). Included in this span of 304 pages (identified as \"Tomo Primo\") are two letters, one quite long, one brief, written to Spallanzani in January and April of 1771, by Charles Bonnet (1720-1793), a well-known preformationist, \"relative to ideas on infusion animalcula\" (relative al Suggetto degli Animali infusori). Opuscoli was not Spallanzani's first work dealing with the extremely controversial and confused (at the time) issue ofgeneration mechanisms. In 1765 his Microscopical Observations in Regard to the Generation Theory of Needham and Buffon (Saggio di Osservazioni Microscopiche Concernenti il Sistema delta Generazioni dei Signori di Needham e Buffon) appeared, followed 4 years later by Abbe Regley's translation of the work, New Investigations, Microscopical Discoveries, and the Generation of Organized Bodies (Nouvelles Recherches sur les DIcouvertes Microscopiques, et la Generation des Corps Organises) (Fig. 3). This translation was furnished with copious \"notes\" supplied by Needham, and the original work occupies only 138 pages, while the notes, which are, in fact, a detailed rebuttal of Spallanzani's experiments, occupy 159 pages.