Action of mutagenic chemicals on Anacystis nidulans. V. Diethyl sulphate

Abstract

A mutant strain of the blue-green alga Anacystis nidulans showing a 1000-fold increased resistance to streptomycin over the parental strain was isolated following treatment with diethyl sulphate. The mutant strain was found to show profuse filamentation, partial requirement of streptomycin for pigment production, and greater resistance to ultraviolet radiation. It also showed greater sensitivity to dimethyl sulphate than the parental strain. It seems that the streptomycin-resistant strain is a composite one comprising at least four kinds of mutations, namely streptomycin-resistance, filamentation, u.v.-resistance and partial dependence on streptomycin for pigment accumulation. Further. the streptomycin-resistant mutant seems nuclear rather than extra-nuclear in nature. Treatment with diethyl sulphate also conferred a slight increase in resistance to penicillin in this alga.