University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

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

Kirsch, Michael Lee

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Description

Title
Genetic, biochemical and behavioral studies of the chemotactic response in Bacillus subtilis
Author(s)
Kirsch, Michael Lee
Issue Date
1994
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Ordal, George W.
Department of Study
Biochemistry
Discipline
Biochemistry
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Keyword(s)
  • Biology, Microbiology
  • Chemistry, Biochemistry
Language
eng
Abstract
  • 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.
  • A cheR null mutant gives rise to two distinct subpopulations of cells which have different chemotactic phenotypes. A single bacterium always develops into the two different subpopulations. The behavior of one of the subpopulations is very similar to that of the double cheB/cheR mutant. Furthermore CheB activity is diminished when CheR is missing, as in the cheR mutant, or when there is an excess of CheR, as in the wild-type strain which overexpresses cheR.
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/20118
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 1994 Kirsch, Michael Lee

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Dissertations and Theses - Biochemistry