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Publisher Summary This chapter describes the alterations of DNA base composition in bacteria. It presents a number of fragmentary observations on the alterations of DNA base composition among bacteria into a coherent pattern and indicates some possibilities for further work in this field. New techniques have been developed for the detection and isolation of these mutants during the past two years. Bacterial mutants with altered DNA base compositions represent extremely rare events. Currently, several systems in which such mutants are induced with significant frequency have become accessible. Mutants with altered DNA base compositions can be considered as macromutations to differentiate them from the ordinary micro-mutations in bacteria. The molecular mechanisms of the appearance of these mutants are difficult to understand currently in the light of the current concept of the structure of deoxyribonucleic acid. The investigation of the induction of these mutants and of the mechanisms of their origin are the subjects of great importance. |
