A germination mutant of Bacillus subtilis deficient in response to glucose.

Abstract

A germination mutant of B. subtilis 168, deficient in response to glucose (GLC), was isolated. The mutation, tentatively named gerK, was mapped between aroI and dal. Spores of this mutant germinated normally in L-alanine (ALA) but failed to do so in L-asparagine + GLC + fructose (FRU) + K+. Deficiency of the mutant in response to GLC was evidenced by the fact that GLC was without effect in stimulating ALA-initiated germination and enhancing reversion by FRU of D-alanine inhibition. Introduction of a gerA (temperature-sensitive) mutation into a gerK mutant by transduction gave rise to a double mutant that did not respond to ALA at 43.degree. even in the presence of GLC. No appreciable difference in glucose dehydrogenase activity was detected between wild-type and mutant spores.