Bacillus Subtilis

The Molecular Biology of the Bacilli, Volume I: Bacillus subtilis focuses on areas of research traditionally investigated in Bacillus subtilis, as well as topics in which outstanding progress has been made. It discusses the sporulation, defective bacteriophage, and transformation of Bacillus subtilis.
Organized into 11 chapters, the book begins with the genetic map of Bacillus subtilis, followed by DNA replication and RNA polymerase of the said species. The book then describes the translational apparatus of Bacillus subtilis. It also explains the genetic transformation in Bacillus subtilis; the sporulation genes; the regulatory mechanisms in the development of lytic bacteriophages in this species; the temperate Bacillus subtilis phages; the specialized transduction in Bacillus subtilis; and molecular cloning in this organism. Lastly, the book considers the most economically important areas of the microbiological industry employing bacilli, including the production of enzymes, nucleosides, riboflavin, and preparations pathogenic to insects.
This book will be useful to scientists who are concerned with the use of Bacillus subtilis as a tool for the study of molecular biology and to those who wish to increase the medical, veterinary, and industrial usefulness of this and related organisms.

Contenu

Contributors

Preface

1 The Genetic Map of Bacillus subtilis

Introduction

Appendix

References

2 DNA Replication in Bacillus subtilis

I. Introduction

II. Replication in Vivo

III. Genetic Analysis of Replication

IV. Replication in Vitro

V. Plasmid Replication

VI. DNA-Membrane Association

References

3 RNA Polymerase of Bacillus subtilis

I. Introduction

II. Purification of RPase

III. Properties of Bacillus subtilis RPase

IV. Functions of RPase

V. Genetics of Bacillus subtilis RPase

VI. RPase of Phage PBS2

VII. Conclusions

References

4 The Translational Apparatus of Bacillus subtilis

I. Introduction

II. The Translation Mechanism in Escherichia coli and Bacilli

III. Chromosomal Organization of Genetic Determinants for Protein Synthesis

IV. Regulation of the Translational Apparatus

V. Future Directions

References

5 Genetic Transformation in Bacillus subtilis

I. Introduction

II. The Competent State

III. Binding

IV. Cleavage and Kinetic Analysis

V. Uptake

VI. Integration and Subsequent Steps

VII. Linkage

VIII. Recombination-Deficient Mutants

IX. Plasmid Transformation

References

6 Sporulation Genes and Their Regulation

I. Introduction

II. Sporulation Genes

III. Cloned Genes That Are Actively Transcribed during Sporulation

IV. Transcription by Modified RNA Polymerases

V. A Positive Control Model for Regulation by the spoO Gene Products

VI. Control of Sporulation Genes: Unanswered Questions

References

7 Regulatory Mechanisms in the Development of Lytic Bacteriophages in Bacillus subtilis

I. Introduction

II. Phage

III. The Hydroxymethyluracil-Containing Phages

References

8 Temperate Bacteriophages of Bacillus subtilis

I. Introduction

II. Major Groups of Temperate Bacillus subtilis Phages

III. 5 and Related Phages

IV. Phage SP02

V. Phages , p11, and SP

VI. Transduction with Temperate Bacillus subtilis Phage

VII. Defective Phages

References

9 Specialized Transduction in Bacillus subtilis

I. Introduction

II. Specialized Transduction by Phase 105

III. Specialized Transduction by Phase SP

References

10 Molecular Cloning in Bacillus subtilis

I. Introduction

II. Vectors

III. Plasmid Transformation

IV. Cloning Techniques

V. Conclusions

References

11 The Industrial Use of Bacilli

I. Introduction

II. Enzymes

III. Insect Pathogens (Entomopathogens): Other Areas of Application

IV. Perspectives for the Genetic Improvement of Industrial Strains

V. Conclusions

References

Index