GROWTH RATE-DEPENDENT ACCUMULATION OF RNA FROM PLASMID-BORNE RIBOSOMAL-RNA OPERONS IN ESCHERICHIA-COLI

Inadequate regulation of the expression of additional plasmid-borne rR NA operons in Escherichia coli was exaggerated at slow growth rates, r esulting in increases of approximately 100% for RNA concentration and 33% for doubling time. These observations are consistent with the hypo thesis that multiple rRNA operons constitute a metabolic burden at slo w growth rates.