[The effect of silicon metabolism on genetic transformation in Bacillus subtilis]

Germanium dioxide is found to increase the frequencies of the genetical transformation in Bacillus subtilis 30-40 fold. The increased frequency of transformation was registered in Sil- mutant in contrast to Sil+ strain having the decreased one. Bacillus megatherium strain KU-2 and Bacillus oligonitrophilus KU-1 were isolated from soil. These strains possess better ability to utilize the orthoclase and biotite. Germanium dioxide did not induce the transformation frequencies increase in these strains. Sil mutant of Bacillus oligonitrophilus demonstrated no competence to transformation.