Cloning of a chromosomal alpha-amylase gene from Bacillus stearothermophilus

We have cloned and sequenced a gene for a heat-stable alpha-amylase from a natural isolate of Bacillus stearothermophilus. Previously, it had been shown that B. stearothermophilus amylase genes may be harboured on indigenous plasmids. We have found that our isolate harbours the amylase gene only on the chromosome and not on its indigenous plasmid.