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Abstract
Certain synthetic processes of a stable L-form and its parent streptococcus were compared to examine whether conversion was accompanied by significant alterations in the growth pattern. DNA and RNA were isolated from the streptococcus and its derived L-form, degraded, and molar base ratios measured and compared. Conversion to the L-form apparently did not result in a disturbance of synthetic processes related to DNA and RNA rates of syntheses and growth measured by extinction of cultures, colony count and dry weight increases. The stable L-form, although almost twice as slow growing, as compared with the streptococcus, retained the ability to function in an orderly manner and was capable of balanced growth. Conversion from streptococcus to L-form did not result in an addition to the DNA base complement (5-methylcytosine, 5-hydroxy-methylcytosine) nor in a quantitative alteration in the molar base ratio of either nucleic acid in the resulting L-form. The disorganization in L-form division characteristic of L-form growth was not directly related to an obvious disturbance in any of the parameters examined.
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