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Knockout of pgdS and ggt genes improves γ‐PGA yield in B. subtilis
Author(s) -
Scoffone Viola,
Dondi Daniele,
Biino Ginevra,
Borghese Giovanni,
Pasini Dario,
Galizzi Alessandro,
Calvio Cinzia
Publication year - 2013
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.24846
Subject(s) - bacillus subtilis , strain (injury) , yield (engineering) , gene , biochemistry , chemistry , enzyme , biology , microbiology and biotechnology , bacteria , genetics , materials science , metallurgy , anatomy
Abstract One of the emerging biopolymers that are currently under active investigation is bacterial poly(γ‐glutamic acid) (γ‐PGA). However, before its full industrial exploitation, a substantial increase in microbial productivity is required. γ‐PGA obtained from the Bacillus subtilis laboratory strain 168 offers the advantage of a producer characterized by a well defined genetic framework and simple manipulation techniques. In this strain, the knockout of genes for the major γ‐PGA degrading enzymes, pgdS and ggt , leads to a considerable improvement in polymer yield, which attains levels analogous to the top wild γ‐PGA producer strains. This study highlights the convenience of using the laboratory strain of B. subtilis over wild isolates in designing strain improvement strategies aimed at increasing γ‐PGA productivity. Biotechnol. Bioeng. 2013; 110: 2006–2012. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.