Temperature-induced synthesis of specific proteins in Escherichia coli: evidence for transcriptional control

Synthesis of several protein chains of Escherichia coli is markedly, though transiently, induced upon shift-up of a log-phase culture to or above the critical temperature (about 34 degrees C). Such induction occurs coordinately for at least three protein chains (76K, 73K, and 64K) examined. Studies of initial kinetics of induction using a specific inhibitor of transcription (rifampin) revealed that induction occurs at the level of transcription with very little lag, though actual synthesis of messenger ribonucleic acids and proteins requires about 1 min when temperature is shifted up from 30 to 42 degrees C. Evidence suggests that E. coli cells somehow "recognize" the temperature change and activate transcription of several distinct operons, one of which contains the mop (morphogenesis of phages; groE) gene.