IDENTIFICATION OF GENES-CONTROLLING THE T RANSITION OF SALMONELLA-TYPHIMURIUM BACTERIA TO A NONCULTURABLE STATE

Mutants of Salmonella typhimurium with an impaired process of transiti on to the nonculturable state were obtained. Mutants were divided into four phenotypic groups. In four mutants (representatives of each phen otypic group), genes with TnPhoA transposon insertions were cloned; th ese insertions caused a disturbance in the process of mutant cell tran sition to the nonculturable state. Nucleotide sequences of mutant gene fragments were determined. Comparison of nucleotide sequences obtaine d with a data bank on DNA nucleotide sequences of enterobacterial geno mes allowed the identification of four genes involved in the control o f nonculturable form generation in salmonellae.