THE SALINE-SENSITIVE PHENOMENON IN BACILLUS SUBTILIS

Abstract

Cells of Bacillus subtilis grown to the age of middle or late logarithmic phase were sensitive to saline and lost their colony-forming ability rapidly during the liquid holding. The sensitive cells turned to resistant cells when the growth progressed to stationary phase. The sensitive cells were generally competent, that is, able to take up DNA and perform transformation. Release of DNA and transformation-stimulating agents from the sensitive cells were observed and the saline-sensitive phenomenon in Bacillus subtilis was compared with the cold-sensitive phenomenon in Escherichia coli.