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Factors Affecting Transfection in Bacillus stearothermophilus¹

^a Department of Biological Sciences, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60201

ABSTRACT

The conditions for the infection of Bacillus stearothermophilus 4S with TP-1C phage deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) are described. Cells from log-phase cultures are the most susceptible to phage DNA infection (transfection). A cellular component (competence factor) which enhances transfection is released into the culture medium during the transition period between the log and stationary phase of growth. Transfection is stimulated in the order of decreasing effectiveness, by Fe³⁺, Mn²⁺, and Mg²⁺. The efficiency of transfection is the highest in cells growing at 60.5 C and does not occur in cells growing at 67 C although the cells are growing normally. A cellular component (competence factor) of this organism, which is released into the culture medium, advances by 40 min some step in the uptake of phage DNA.

² Present address: Department of Microbiology, University of Rochester, Rochester, N.Y. 14620.

¹ Part of the dissertation of Uldis N. Streips, presented to Northwestern University in partial fulfillment of requirements for the Ph.D. degree. A preliminary report of this work was presented at the 69th Annual Meeting of the American Society for Microbiology, Miami Beach, Fla., 4-9 May 1969.