[Comparative study of the multiplicity of exoenzymes produced by different strains of Bacillus subtilis]

Molecular forms of two exoenzymes, subtilisin and alpha-amylase, produced by mutants of Bacillus subtilis were studied. The degree of the post-translational modification of subtilisin was less pronounced for P and M mutants than for R mutants. Some of the P and M mutants produced subtilisin having higher molecular weight and hydrophobicity as compared to the R mutants. This form of subtilisin may be the primary product of translation of the structural gene and therefore a precursor of subtilisin. Its appearance outside the cell may be due to the alteration in the cell surface structures in the P and M mutants and abnormal post-translational modification. The P and M mutants produced also differing exocellular proteins as compared to the R mutants, e.g. alpha-amylase forms with the higher isoelectric points.