The Genetic Basis for Mucoidy and Radiation Sensitivity in capR (lon) Mutants of E. coli K-12.

CapR mutants of E. coli K-12 overproduce capsular polysaccharide (mucoid phenotype) and enzymes involved in capsular polysaccharide synthesis, and they are sensitive to radiation. It has been uncertain whether both properties are mediated by damage to a single cistron or by a polar effect on a second cistron in the same operon. Introduction of a polarity suppressor caused no change in the overproduction of polysaccharide, in the enzymes of polysaccharide synthesis or in radiation sensitivity of the capR mutant. Thus mucoidy and radiation sensitivity resulting from capR (lon) mutations are both the consequences of impairment of the same cistron. The experiments demonstrate the advantage of the use of polarity suppressors (over conventional nonsense suppressors) in determining whether pleiotropic effects of a mutation are the result of polarity.