Thymineless mutagenesis in bacteriophage T4

Genetics. 1973 Jul;74(3):393-403. doi: 10.1093/genetics/74.3.393.

Abstract

Thymine deprivation can be achieved in bacteriophage T4 either by the use of the thymidylate synthetase inhibitor FUdR, or by an appropriate combination of genetic blocks; both methods produce marked mutagenesis. Extensive tests of the specificity of thymineless mutagenesis reveal that only A:T base pairs are affected, and that transitions and possibly transversions are produced. This system therefore constitutes the first example of an A:T-specific mutagen. Thymineless mutagenesis in bacteriophage T4 exhibits a marked dependence upon the functional state of the DNA polymerase gene, but is largely independent of the px-y misrepair system.

MeSH terms

  • Adenine Nucleotides
  • Alleles
  • Bromodeoxyuridine / pharmacology
  • Coliphages* / metabolism
  • Cytosine Nucleotides
  • DNA Nucleotidyltransferases
  • DNA Repair
  • DNA, Bacterial / biosynthesis
  • Escherichia coli / metabolism
  • Floxuridine / pharmacology
  • Guanine Nucleotides
  • Mutation* / drug effects
  • Recombination, Genetic
  • Temperature
  • Thymidine / pharmacology
  • Thymidylate Synthase / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Thymine Nucleotides
  • Thymine*
  • Uridine / pharmacology

Substances

  • Adenine Nucleotides
  • Cytosine Nucleotides
  • DNA, Bacterial
  • Guanine Nucleotides
  • Thymine Nucleotides
  • Floxuridine
  • Thymidylate Synthase
  • DNA Nucleotidyltransferases
  • Bromodeoxyuridine
  • Thymine
  • Thymidine
  • Uridine