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Bacillus subtilis pgsE (Formerly ywtC ) stimulates poly‐γ‐glutamate production in the presence of zinc
Author(s) -
Yamashiro Daisuke,
Yoshioka Megumi,
Ashiuchi Makoto
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
biotechnology and bioengineering
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.136
H-Index - 189
eISSN - 1097-0290
pISSN - 0006-3592
DOI - 10.1002/bit.22913
Subject(s) - bacillus subtilis , chemistry , xylose , yield (engineering) , zinc , biochemistry , fermentation , bacteria , biology , organic chemistry , materials science , metallurgy , genetics
Poly‐γ‐glutamate (PGA) is a versatile nylon‐like material, and enhanced production of PGA is required for various bio‐industrial applications. In this study, we first examined the effects of available sugars on the production of Bacillus subtilis PGA, and demonstrated the good applicability of pentoses (e.g., D ‐xylose). Then, we characterized the pgsE gene of B. subtilis , which encodes a 6.5‐kDa protein of 55 amino acids (PgsE), as a genetic tool for increasing the yield of PGA without changing its structural features (e.g., polymer stereochemistry and molecular size distribution). In the presence of Zn 2+ , the induction of PgsE tripled the PGA productivity of B. subtilis subsp. chungkookjang . This finding will contribute to the establishment of an improved PGA‐production system. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2011; 108:226–230. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.