Open AccessTransformation of Bacillus thuringiensis vegetative cells by electroporation
Author(s) -
Masson Luke,
Préfontaine Gabrielle,
Brousseau Roland
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
fems microbiology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.899
H-Index - 151
eISSN - 1574-6968
pISSN - 0378-1097
DOI - 10.1111/j.1574-6968.1989.tb03485.x
Subject(s) - bacillus thuringiensis , electroporation , bacillus subtilis , plasmid , transformation (genetics) , bacillaceae , bacillales , biology , dna , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , genetics , gene
A highly efficient procedure for the transformation of Bacillus thuringiensis and Bacillus subtilis using covalently closed circular plasmid DNA was developed by using the small Staphylococcus aureus plasmid pC194 and electroporation. We have achieved transformation efficiencies in B. thuringiensis subsp. kurstaki (HD‐73) greater than 5 × 10 6 transformants/μg plasmid DNA. The electro‐transformation (or electroporation) procedure also worked with B. subtilis 168 although at a 200‐fold less level of efficiency. The results indicated that the plasmid exists in double and single‐stranded forms both in B. subtilis and B. thuringiensis . A second single‐stranded species was also observed in both species. This technique may prove to be applicable to other members of the genus Bacillus .