title: Subspecies-specific distribution of intervening sequences in the Bacillus subtilis prophage ribonucleotide reductase genes.
abstract: A collection of 212 gram-positive bacilli isolated from natural habitats was screened for the presence of intervening sequences (introns and intein-coding sequences) in the SPbeta prophage-related ribonucleotide reductase genes bnrdE and bnrdF. Three novel configurations were identified on the basis of the presence of (i) intervening sequences in bnrdE and bnrdF, and (ii) an ORF in the bnrdE-bnrdF spacer. Analysis of the cell wall genetic determinants as well as of the incorporation of radio-labelled glycerol into cell wall allowed newly and previously identified B. subtilis strains with different configurations of bnrdE/bnrdF intervening sequences to be assigned to one of two subspecies. Strains apparently belonging to the subsp. subtilis contain three intervening sequences many of which are associated with the putative homing endonuclease activity. Strains of the subsp. spizizenii contain only one or two ORF-less group I introns. Introns occupying bnrdF are confined to the subspecies subtilis.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Microbiology, Faculty of Biology, University of Belgrade, Studentski trg 3, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia and Montenegro.
authors.forename: Slavisa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stankovic
authors.forename: Blazenka
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Soldo
authors.forename: Tanja
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Beric-Bjedov
authors.forename: Jelena
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Knezevic-Vukcevic
authors.forename: Draga
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Simic
authors.forename: Vladimir
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Lazarevic
mesh_terms: D017103:Bacillus Phages / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D005814:Genes, Viral; D047668:Inteins / Q000235:genetics; D007438:Introns; D016366:Open Reading Frames; D039002:Prophages / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000235:genetics; D012264:Ribonucleotide Reductases / Q000235:genetics*; D012988:Soil Microbiology; D013045:Species Specificity
chemical_list: D012264:Ribonucleotide Reductases