GROWTH STIMULATION OF A STRAIN OF BACILLUS SUBTILIS BY GLYCINE PEPTIDES

Abstract
A UV-induced mutant of B. subtilis was stimulated by yeast extract in a medium containing amino acids, vitamins, purine and a pyrimidine. The yeast extract could be replaced by low concentrations of glycine peptides. The peptide decreased the lag phase of growth and increased the growth rate. The requirement for glycine peptide was caused by histidine inhibition of growth. The inhibition does not seem to act at the site of glycine uptake into the cell. This appears to be the first report of growth stimulation by synthetic peptides in the genus Bacillus.