Temperature-Sensitive Mutants of Escherichia coli Requiring Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids for Growth: Isolation and Properties
Abstract
A procedure is described for selection of temperature-sensitive mutants affecting fatty-acid synthesis based upon radiation suicide of wild-type organisms by tritiated acetate selectively incorporated into fatty acids. At 37°, two of the mutants extensively incorporate fatty-acid supplements provided in the medium, and grow for extended periods only when a trans-unsaturated or a combination of saturated and cis-unsaturated fatty acids is available. In vivo fatty-acid synthesis, measured by [14C]acetate incorporation, is temperature-sensitive in these strains relative to protein synthesis and other non-lipid macromolecular syntheses using acetate. The biochemical nature of these mutations has not been identified.
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