Genetic Transformation of Neisseria catarrhalis by Deoxyribonucleate Preparations having Different Average Base Compositions

Abstract

SUMMARYThe base contents of deoxyribonucleate (DNA) preparations from 7 strains of Neisseria catarrhalis were determined chromatographically.Three non-overlapping classes were distinguished by mole yo guanine + cytosine. These centred about the values 41 yo (2 strains), 42.3 yo (4 strains, including ATCC 8193), and 44.5 yo (strain NCTC 4103). Each of the 7 strains was capable of undergoing genetic transformation. DNA preparations from spontaneous streptomycin-resistant mutants of all 7 strains elicited transformation of recipient strains in all 49 possible combinations. Results with this group, therefore, do not support the hypothesis that success in transferring genetic information between 2 strains requires identity of average DNA base contents.Differences of reciprocal transformation frequencies and of 4 physiological characteristics (nitrate reduction, pigment production on vancomycin-containing agar, hydrolysis of gelatin, and growth at 28O) appeared to separate 6 of the strains of Neisseria catarrhah from the seventh (NCTC 4103), which may properly be named N . cinereas.

The Taxonomy of the Genera Moraxella and Neisseria

“…Results of transformation experiments and DNA base determinations made elsewhere (Catlin, 1960(Catlin, , 1961Catlin & Cunningham, 1961 ;Marmur, Falkow & Mandel, 1963) and on our own strain material (summarized by Barvre, 1967) indicate that Neisseria species can be divided in two subgroups. One subgroup consisting of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, N .…”

“…The results of recent studies on the relationships of organisms belonging to the genera Moraxella and Neisseria (Barvre, 1967;Catlin & Cunningham, 1961 indicate that a revision of the taxonomy of these organisms is desirable. Transformation experiments and determination of DNA base composition have given particularly suggestive results.…”

Enzyme Electrophoretograms in the Analysis of Taxon Relatedness of Micrococcus Cryophilus, Branhamella Catarrhalis and Atypical Neisserias

“…Other investigators have reported on the value of esterase electrophoretograms in the characterization of bacterial groups such as the P-haemolytic streptococci (Lund, I corynebacteria (Robinson, I 968), and phytopathogenic bacteria (El-Sharkawy & Huisingh, 1971a, b>. The differences in the characteristics of the esterase isoenzyme patterns from ATCC23246 and the type strain ATCC25238 provides additional evidence that ~~~~2 3 2 4 6 is sufficiently distinct physiologically and in some of its other properties (Catlin & Cunningham, 1964;LaMacchia & Pelczar, 1966;Baumann et al 1968;Fox & McClain, 1974) The existence of an esterase activity band at Mf 0.70 to M f 0.705 in the patterns from the atypical neisserias A~cC19576, A T C C I~~~~ and ATCC 14659, and also B. catarrhalis strains ATCC25238 and A~cC23246 (excluding its acetate pattern) further advances the view of an identifiable intrageneric specificity among these species. Since the electrophoretograms resolved from A~cc19576 and A T C C I~~~~ were virtually indistinguishable they have been recognized here as a single taxonomic entity ( A T c c I~~~~) .…”

Evaluation of the Taxonomic Relationship of Micrococcus cryophilus, Branhamella catarrhalis, and Neisseriae by Comparative Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis of Soluble Proteins

“…Catlin and Cunningham (5) reported N. catarrhalis to be an atypical neisseria based on its deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) base composition of 4 1% guanine plus cytosine (G + C) compared to 50% G + C for other neisseriae and by its negligible interspecies transformation frequencies. However, high transformation frequencies between strains of this species were reported (6). Later evidence demonstrated a phenotypic homogeneity among the strains of N .…”