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Twist state phenotypes of Bacillus subtilis macrofibre mutants
1Graduate Committee on Genetics, University of Arizona, Tucson 85721.
Microbios
|January 1, 1988
Summary
Bacillus subtilis strains exhibit diverse macrofibre twist states influenced by temperature and medium. Environmental factors can trigger or restrict helix-hand inversions, revealing unique but related strain phenotypes.
Area of Science:
- Microbiology
- Cell Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Bacillus subtilis exhibits complex phenotypes, including macrofibre twist states.
- Understanding these states is crucial for deciphering bacterial morphology and behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the range of macrofibre twist states in Bacillus subtilis strains.
- To analyze the influence of growth temperature and medium composition on these states.
- To classify strains based on their response to environmental variations.
Main Methods:
- Utilized graphic techniques to organize and compare macrofibre mutant phenotypes.
- Qualitatively examined steady-state twist states under varying temperature and medium conditions.
- Quantitatively measured static twist across the full environmental range.
Main Results:
- Identified three distinct classes of Bacillus subtilis strains based on their response to environmental triggers for helix-hand inversion.
- Demonstrated that temperature and medium composition significantly influence macrofibre twist states.
- Observed unique twist state phenotypes for each strain, yet identified common patterns across all strains.
Conclusions:
- Macrofibre twist states in Bacillus subtilis are highly sensitive to environmental factors like temperature and medium composition.
- While individual strain responses vary, all strains show some plasticity in their twist states.
- Genetic factors likely govern the observed patterns of helix-hand inversion and twist state restriction.