Genetic mapping of bfmA mutation causing fatty acid deficiency in Bacillus subtilis

Bacillus subtilis strain 626, defective in the bfmA gene, is a derivative derivatives of B. subtilis strain 168 and requires branched short-chain carboxylic acids for growth. Branched-chain 2-keto acid decarboxylase activity and fatty acid synthesis in B. subtilis strain 626 were 14 and 7%, respectively, of their levels in strain 626-2R, a spontaneously reverted strain. These results indicate that the bfmA mutation is in either the branched-chain 2-keto acid decarboxylase gene itself or its controlling gene. Thus, primer synthesis from the 2-keto acid substrate in strain 626 is defective, causing a deficiency in fatty acid synthesis. A bfmA mutation was transferred to a suitable genetic background and analysed. The bfmA strain, CAC1, was competent and motile, and required 50 microM CaCl2 or 5 microM FeCl3 for growth on glucose minimal agar plates. The bfmA gene was mapped between glyC (320 degrees) and ctrA (325 degrees) and estimated to be at 320 degrees by protoplast fusion and PBS1 phage transduction.