RT Journal Article SR Electronic(1) A1 Delamater, E. D. A1 Hunter, Mary Elizabeth A1 Szybalski, W. A1 Bryson, V.YR 1955 T1 Chemically Induced Aberrations of Mitosis in Bacteria JF Microbiology, VO 12 IS 2 SP 203 OP 212 DO https://doi.org/10.1099/00221287-12-2-203 PB Microbiology Society, SN 1465-2080, AB SUMMARY: Bacillus megaterium was studied cytologically during exposure to a number of toxic agents, including known mitotic inhibitors. Many antibiotics and sodium p-aminosalicylate at inhibitory concentrations induced an increase in the size and optical density of the stained nuclei, and a preponderance of configurations resembling metaphase and anaphase stages. Continued chromosome reduplication results in the establishment of a transient polyploidy. Isoniazid and benzimidazole bring about a decrease in the amount of stainable material in the nucleus. Penicillin and bacitracin produce no obvious changes in the nuclear pattern in this organism. The significance of the aberrations observed is discussed. Further support for the similarity of bacterial nuclei to the nuclei of higher organisms is provided., UL https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/content/journal/micro/10.1099/00221287-12-2-203