Genetic and biochemical analysis of solvent formation in Clostridium acetobutylicum. Progress report, September 1, 1992--July 31, 1996

Several degenerate strains were isolated and characterized by sporulation, motility and growth properties. Cell appearance and colony morphology were also recorded. Enzymatic assays revealed reduced butyraldehyde dehydrogenase and Co-A transferase enzyme activities in the degenerates. DNA analysis revealed that in complete degenerate strains the genes of the solvent locus were absent. Gyrase inhibitors slightly reduced the growth rate and decreased acetone formation preferentially. In an effort to analyze the role of sporulation sigma factors in solvent gene expression, recombination experiments were conducted and led to strains with increased solvent production. Analysis of redox systems has resulted in the sequence analysis of a cluster encoding formyl transferase proteins and an oxidoreductase-like gene. The genes for the two subunits of an apparent electron transfer flavoprotein were sequenced and suggest this factor acts to carry electrons to the butyryl-CoA dehydrogenase. The genes encoding the Fo subunits of the membrane ATPase have been sequenced