title: Bacillus subtilis pgsE (Formerly ywtC) stimulates poly-γ-glutamate production in the presence of zinc.
abstract: Poly-γ-glutamate (PGA) is a versatile nylon-like material, and enhanced production of PGA is required for various bio-industrial applications. In this study, we first examined the effects of available sugars on the production of Bacillus subtilis PGA, and demonstrated the good applicability of pentoses (e.g., D-xylose). Then, we characterized the pgsE gene of B. subtilis, which encodes a 6.5-kDa protein of 55 amino acids (PgsE), as a genetic tool for increasing the yield of PGA without changing its structural features (e.g., polymer stereochemistry and molecular size distribution). In the presence of Zn(2+), the induction of PgsE tripled the PGA productivity of B. subtilis subsp. chungkookjang. This finding will contribute to the establishment of an improved PGA-production system.
authors.affiliation: Course of Applied Bioresource Science, United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Ehime University, Matsuyama, Ehime, Japan.
authors.forename: Daisuke
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Yamashiro
authors.forename: Megumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yoshioka
authors.forename: Makoto
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ashiuchi
mesh_terms: D001412:Bacillus subtilis / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D001426:Bacterial Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid / Q000378:metabolism*; D015032:Zinc / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D011099:Polyglutamic Acid; D015032:Zinc