Transformation in Bacillus subtilis. Initial stages of the transformation process and their energy dependence.

NaN3 was found to inhibit transformation but not the irreversible binding of donor 3H-DNA in competent cells of the original low-transformable strain Bacillus subtilis 168 trp2. Addition of NaN3 to cells of two mutants Bacillus subtilis HT39 and HT46 with an increased transformability decreased substantially the irreversible binding of the donor DNA to the competent cells. The decreased irreversible binding of DNA is caused by an increased osmotic sensitivity of competent cells of the mutants HT39 and HT46 in the presence of NaN3, leading preferentially to lysis of the competent cells.