Genetic, biochemical and behavioral studies of the chemotactic response in Bacillus subtilis

The two enzymes involved in the major adaptation pathway of Bacillus subtilis chemotaxis were cloned and sequenced. They were found to be homologous to the corresponding enzymes of the Escherichia coli system. While the B. subtilis proteins could substitute for the E. coli proteins, they play opposite roles in the two organisms. CheB, the methylesterase, functions to promote adaptation to attractant stimuli in B. subtilis whereas it serves to promote adaptation to repellent stimuli in E. coli. CheR, the methyltransferase, functions to promote adaptation to repellent stimuli in B. subtilis whereas it serves to promote adaptation to attractant stimuli in E. coli. There exists another mechanism in B. subtilis which promotes adaptation to attractant stimuli but is independent of the methylation system. A methylation-independent adaptation system has been described for the E. coli system but it plays a much less significant role in that organism.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biochemistry

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2011

Author dc:creator

• Kirsch, Michael Lee

Contributors dc:contributor

• Ordal, George W.

• Biology, Microbiology
• Chemistry, Biochemistry

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 1994 Kirsch, Michael Lee

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

AAI9503239
(UMI)AAI9503239

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/20118