Brevibacillus as a biological tool: a short review

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Biotechnology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Brevibacillus is a widespread genus of Gram-positive bacteria found in diverse environments.
• Certain Brevibacillus strains exhibit advantageous characteristics for laboratory use, including rapid growth and efficient genetic manipulation.
• The genus is recognized for its potential in various biotechnological applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the properties of Brevibacillus species.
• To highlight their utility as biological tools in diverse applications.
• To discuss their significance in scientific literature and commercial protein production.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of published scientific articles.
• Analysis of commercial recombinant protein catalogs.
• Compilation of data on Brevibacillus characteristics and applications.

Main Results:

• Brevibacillus species possess a high growth rate and efficient transformation via electroporation.
• They offer available shuttle vectors and produce minimal extracellular protease, facilitating heterologous protein expression.
• The genus is a source of enzymes for biodegrading polyethylene and acts as a biocontrol agent.

Conclusions:

• Brevibacillus strains are excellent laboratory models due to their favorable biological properties.
• Their enzymes and overexpression capabilities present significant biotechnological potential.
• Brevibacillus spp. are valuable biological tools with a wide range of applications.