THE EFFECTS OF A TRYPTOPHAN-HISTIDINE DEFICIENCY IN A MUTANT OF ESCHERICHIA COLI

Abstract

The metabolism of a mutant of E. coli,. requiring tryptophan and histidine was compared in media with and without these amino acids. Synthesis of cellular components was observed using C14, S35 and P32 as indicators. In the absence of the amino acids, protein synthesis is reduced to 10% of normal while nucleic acid synthesis is less affected being 25% of normal. Protein synthesis and nucleic acid synthesis are thus partially independent.