An enzyme of Pneumococcus responsible for the conversion of maltose to glucose and
oligosaccharides was investigated. The genetic analysis of a group of mutants lacking this
enzyme was accomplished by studying DNA-mediated transformations of the different
strains. Transformation of the different mutants to maltose utilization by wild-type DNA
occurred with different frequencies. Recombination of genetic material of the maltose-
negative strains also gave rise to positive cells. Analysis of the recombinations indicated that …