Classification of Bacillus subtilis flagellins

Abstract
Purified flagellins derived from 16 strains of B. subtilis were classified into at least 5 distinct groups on the basis of their reaction with antiflagellar filament antibody and antiflagellin antibody. This classification was in good accord with that derived independently on the basis of amino acid analyses of the flagellins. Flagellar antigenicity appears to provide a useful typological character in classifying B. subtilis strains.