Bacillus subtilis and its relatives: molecular biological and industrial workhorses.
The non-pathogenic bacterium Bacillus subtilis, since its first reported genetic transformation in 1959, has become a model system for the study of many aspects of the biochemistry, genetics and physiology of Gram-positive bacteria, and particularly of sporulation and associated metabolism. Extensive knowledge of the molecular biology of B. subtilis has led to the recent development of this bacterium as a host for the industrial production of heterologous proteins. Although difficulties have been encountered, these are being systematically addressed and overcome.
Harwood
C R
CR
Department of Microbiology, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D003001:Cloning, Molecular; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D013171:Spores, Bacterial / Q000502:physiology; D014169:Transformation, Bacterial