US EPA

1251729 

Journal Article 

Transpositional Mutagenesis of Thiobacillus novellus and Thiobacillus versutus 

Davidson, MS; Roy, P; Summers, AO 

1985 

Yes 

Applied and Environmental Microbiology
ISSN: 0099-2240
EISSN: 1098-5336 

49 

6 

1436-1441 

English 

16346810 

WOS:A1985AJN2900017 

Transpositional mutagenesis of Thiobacillus novellus by Tn501 was achieved by means of the incompatibility of IncP plasmids. Tn501 insertion caused three types of mutant phenotypes: isoleucine auxotrophy, lysine auxotrophy, and a reduced ability to oxidize reduced sulfur compounds and to fix CO(2). Oxidation rates for elemental sulfur (S), thiosulfate (S(2)O(3)), and tetrathionate (S(4)O(6)) in mutants of the latter type were reduced relative to those of the nonmutant control strain. Incorporation of labeled bicarbonate (HCO(3)) was also significantly impaired. Although suicide vehicles were not useful for the introduction of transposons into T. novellus, this method was effective for the Tn1721-induced mutagenesis of Thiobacillus versutus. Tn1721 insertions resulted in the loss of the natural resistance of T. versutus to arsenate and gentamicin and in auxotrophies for isoleucine-valine, arginine, phenylalanine, valine, and panthothenate. Transpositional mutagenesis by either method should prove to be a useful tool for further study of these and other members of the genus Thiobacillus.