Investigation of the molecular mechanism of thermal tolerance in bacillus subtilis. Final report, August 15, 1980-August 14, 1981

Technical Report · Fri Aug 14 04:00:00 EDT 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6341518· OSTI ID:6341518

Yamamoto, N.; Alexander, J.; ih, J.

We have studied Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus caldolyticus to ascertain the molecular mechanism of the ability to growth at high temperatures. B. subtilus wild type strains grow in minimal salts medium at a mesophilic temperature (37/sup 0/C) but not at a thermophilic temperature (56/sup 0/C). However, they do grow at 56/sup 0/C in complex rich media. Analysis of their nutritional requirements revealed that these bacteria require pyridoxine or aspartic acid and threonine to grow at 56/sup 0/C indicating that they are temperature sensitive mutants. Furthermore, mutants of B. subtilis which are able to grow on minimal salts media at 56/sup 0/C can be readily isolated. Therefore, it appears that the lack of growth of the wild type strain in minimal salts media at 56/sup 0/C is due to the instability of an anabolic enzyme. In contrast to B. subtilis, B. pumilus has never been observed to growth above 50/sup 0/C. However, our studies show that mutants of B. pumilus and B. subtilis which grow at 68/sup 0/C can be easily isolated. The isolation of such mutants strongly supports the idea that one gene can determine the ability to grow at extreme temperatures.

• Research Organization: Hahnemann Medical Coll. and Hospital, Philadelphia, PA (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC02-80ER10703
• OSTI ID: 6341518
• Report Number(s): DOE/ER/10703-1; ON: DE81027958
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550700* -- Microbiology
560202 -- Thermal Effects-- Microorganisms-- (1987)
59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
63 RADIATION, THERMAL, AND OTHER ENVIRON. POLLUTANT EFFECTS ON LIVING ORGS. AND BIOL. MAT.
BACILLUS
BACTERIA
CONTROL
GENETIC CONTROL
GROWTH
MICROORGANISMS
MUTANTS
PEST CONTROL
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS
TOLERANCE