INACTIVATION AND UNSTABILIZATION OF THE TRANSFORMING PRINCIPLE BY MUTAGENIC AGENTS

Abstract
The action of mutagens on the transforming principle of Haemophilus influenzae was studied. Minute doses of most strong mutagens, inactivate the transforming principle, suggesting that DNA is the site of action of these mutagens. The nature of the reactions between certain mutagens and the transforming principle was analyzed. An unstabilization of the transforming principle occurs in vitro following exposure to subinactivating concentrations of mutagens. The possible relation between this phenomenon and the previously suggested unstabilization of genes prior to mutation is discussed.