[Relationship between spore formation and synthesis of extracellular protheases in Bacillus mesentericus]

Two phases were established in the synthesis of extracellular proteases by Bacillus mesentericus 73. When the growth rate was high, the synthesis of proteases was small. The maximum rate of the enzyme synthesis was observed when the growth decelerated and the production of spores started. The synthesis of alkaline protease and the formation of spores are susceptible to nitrogen-metabolite and catabolite repression. The ability to produce spores was not found in the S variant of Bacillus mesentericus that did not synthesize extracellular proteases.