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 Copyright Information Books from ASM Press MicrobeWorld Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Marmur, J. Articles by Levine, J. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Marmur, J. Articles by Levine, J.

INTERSPECIFIC TRANSFORMATION IN BACILLUS¹

^a Graduate Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University, Waltham, Massachusetts

ABSTRACT

MARMUR, J. (Brandeis University, Waltham, Mass.), E. SEAMAN, AND J. LEVINE. Interspecific transformation in Bacillus. J. Bacteriol. 85:461–467. 1963.—Deoxyribonucleic acids (DNA) from various species of the taxonomic group Bacillaceae were examined for base composition, ability to carry out interspecific transformation, and formation of molecular hybrids in vitro. The minimal requirement for genetic compatibility among different species and for DNA interaction (both reflecting base sequence homologies) is the similarity of the guanine plus cytosine contents of the DNA. The close correlation between the ability of DNA to be competent in interspecific transformation and to form hybrid molecules on denaturation and annealing provided a rational approach to the study of genetic relationship among organisms for which no genetic exchange has yet been demonstrated. Any or all of the criteria (base composition of DNA, transformation, molecular hybrid formation) can be used as tools in the taxonomic assessment of closely related microorganisms.

² Present address: School of Medicine, Yale University, New Haven, Conn.

¹ Publication no. 199 from the Graduate Department of Biochemistry, Brandeis University. Part of the work was carried out in the Department of Chemistry, Harvard University.