Using Mycobacterium smegmatis as a Bioindicator for Zinc-limited Growth Conditions in Mycobacteria.

ABSTRACT: Many bacteria build alternative ribosomes in Zn²⁺-limiting growth conditions by replacing Zn²⁺-binding ribosomal proteins with Zn²⁺-independent paralogs. Defining a system to study these alternative ribosomes has proven difficult because Zn²⁺ contamination in the laboratory is common. To address this issue, chelating agents are sometimes added to growth media, but this approach convolutes the biological response to gradual Zn²⁺ limitation and is associated with ribosome hibernation. Here, detailed instructions are outlined for preparing media and seeding cultures for Zn²⁺-limited growth without adding chelators. Following this method, the model bacterium, Mycobacterium smegmatis, undergoes morphogenesis, which depends on alt

SUBMITTER: Burger AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12500393 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature