Mutant of Bacillus subtilis with a temperature-sensitive lesion in ribonucleic acid synthesis during germination.

We have isolated a mutant of Baccillus subtilis with a temperature-sensitive lesion in the process of spore germination. The temperature-sensitive mutation affects only germination and outgrowth, and the earliest defect observed is an early block of ribonucleic acid synthesis during germination at 46 C. Upon return to 35 C there is a complete repair of the impaired function, even in the absence of protein synthesis. Protein synthesis inhibition during germination of the mutant spores at 46 C has the effect of increasing the amount of ribonucleic acid made. The temperature-sensitive mutation is located near aroI.