Transduction in Bacillus thuringiensis

Abstract

Bacteriophage CP-51, originally reported as a generalized transducing phage for Bacillus cereus and B. anthracis, has been shown to carry out generalized transduction in several strains of B. thuringiensis. A newly isolated phage, CP-54, which has a broader host range than CP-51, also mediates generalized transduction in B. thuringiensis. CP-51 and CP-54 are similar in size and morphology and are related serologically, but they are not identical. CP-54 is more cold labile than CP-51, and, as with CP-51, its stability both at 0 and 15 degrees C is enhanced by the presence of 0.02 M Mg2+. Some examples of cotransduction of linked markers in B. thuringiensis are presented, demonstrating the feasibility of chromosomal mapping in this organism. The rare occurrence of cross-transduction among strains of B. thuringiensis is probably a reflection of nonhomology rather than restriction, since phage itself did not appear to be restricted when grown on a particular host and assayed with other hosts as indicator.