DNA Binding Activity of Cells of Deoxyribonuclease-susceptible Floc Forming Pseudomonas sp.

Cells of Pseudomonas strain C-120, cultivated under the conditions in which cells do not flocculate naturally, were flocculated with DNA prepared from Escherichia coli, indicating that DNA binding factor was constitutively present on the cell surface. On the other hand, release of DNA into the growth medium was observed accompanying flocculation of cells. The results suggest that release of DNA from cells is an important factor for flocculation. DNA binding activity of cells was abolished by treating cells with proteases, suggesting the DNA binding factor is a proteinaceous component. The effects of salts and 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid on the cells suggested that amino groups were involved in the DNA binding reaction. The number of DNAs bound per cell was estimated to be about 10 molecules from reconstitution experiments using phage T₄ DNA.