This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Reprints and Permissions Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Taylor, F Articles by Cronan, J E Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Taylor, F Articles by Cronan, J E, Jr

 Previous Article  |  Next Article 

J Bacteriol. 1976 February; 125(2): 518-523

Selection and properties of Escherichia coli mutants defective in the synthesis of cyclopropane fatty acids.

ABSTRACT

Mutants of Escherichia coli K-12 defective in the synthesis of cyclopropane fatty acids (CFA) have been selected and isolated by a L-[methyl-3H]methionine suicide procedure. Two mutants were isolated. Stationary-phase cultures of both mutants contain less than 0.7% of the CFA content found in the parental strain. The CFA deficiency is attributed to a deficiency of CFA synthetase activity. Extracts of both mutants contain less than 10% of the CFA synthetase activity found in extracts of the parental strain. Experiments in which parental and mutant extracts were mixed indicate that the lack of activity in the mutant strains is not due to an inhibitor of CFA synthetase present in the mutant extracts. We have not yet detected a physiological phenotype for these mutants. These strains grow normally at various temperatures in a variety of media. We have tested survival (colony-forming ability) in response to (i) prolonged incubation in stationary phase, (ii) exposure to drying, and (iii) exposure to detergents, heavy metals, low pH, high salt concentration, and a variety of other environmental conditions. The survival of both mutants is identical to that of the parental strain under all conditions tested. The compositions (excepting the CFA deficiency) and metabolic turnover rates of the phospholipids of both mutant strains are indistinguishable from those of the wild-type strain. The transport of several amino acids also seems normal in these mutants.

This article has been cited by other articles:

• Munoz-Rojas, J., Bernal, P., Duque, E., Godoy, P., Segura, A., Ramos, J.-L. (2006). Involvement of Cyclopropane Fatty Acids in the Response of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 to Freeze-Drying. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 72: 472-477 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Kim, B. H., Kim, S., Kim, H. G., Lee, J., Lee, I. S., Park, Y. K. (2005). The formation of cyclopropane fatty acids in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Microbiology 151: 209-218 [Abstract] [Full Text]  
• Annous, B. A., Kozempel, M. F., Kurantz, M. J. (1999). Changes in Membrane Fatty Acid Composition of Pediococcus sp. Strain NRRL B-2354 in Response to Growth Conditions and Its Effect on Thermal Resistance. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 65: 2857-2862 [Abstract] [Full Text]