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Single-cell Analysis of Bacillus subtilis Biofilms Using Fluorescence Microscopy and Flow Cytometry
Published on: February 15, 2012
Engineering Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 for improved production of the lantibiotic subtilin
Stefan Heinzmann1, Karl-Dieter Entian, Torsten Stein
1Institut für Mikrobiologie, Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Marie-Curie-Str. 9, 60439, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Abstract:
To improve the production of the lantibiotic subtilin in Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633, two genetic engineering strategies were followed. Firstly, additional copies of subtilin self-protection (immunity) genes spaIFEG have been integrated into the genome of the producer strain. Their expression significantly enhanced the subtilin tolerance level, and concomitantly, the subtilin yield 1.7-fold. Secondly, a repressor of subtilin gene expression, the B. subtilis general transition state regulator protein AbrB, was deleted. A sixfold enhancement of the subtilin yield could be achieved with the abrB deletion mutant; however, the produced subtilin fraction predominantly consists of succinylated subtilin species with less antimicrobial activity compared to unmodified subtilin.
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