Sequencing of the Bacillus subtilis genome

• Research unit: EU RFP
• Project number: 96.0245

Key words (English)

Genome sequencing; bacillus subtilis; nucleotide sequence

Alternative project number (English)

EU project number: BIO4CT960655

Research programs (English)

EU-programme: 4. Frame Research Programme - 4.1 Biotechnology

Short description (English)

See abstract

Further information (English)

Full name of research-institution/enterprise:
Université de Lausanne
Institut de Génétique et de Biologie microbiennes

Abstract (English)

The 134-kb SPß prophage DNA has been cloned and sequenced by IGBM within the framework of the international Bacillus subtilis sequencing project that ended on March 31st 1999.
The SPß nucleotide sequence, the largest sequence of a phage genome deposited so far in sequence databases, was analysed and annotated. The sequence analysis revealed several features that distinguish the phage from the host genome. The evidence was obtained for in vivo mRNA processing that removes two SPß group I introns. The SPß bnrdE gene provided the first example of coexistence of a group I intron and an intein coding sequence within a prokaryotic gene. In addition, the presence of a vestige of a nuclear intron was speculated.
The experimental work was focused on determination of gene functions predictable from the sequence comparisons. Gene products of the two other sequenced regions, gerB-hisA and cotT-xre, were shown to be involved in synthesis of the cell wall anionic polymers (teichoic and teichuronic acids), carbon catabolite repression, spore germination and electron transport.

References in databases (English)

Swiss Database: Euro-DB of the
State Secretariat for Education and Research
Hallwylstrasse 4
CH-3003 Berne, Switzerland
Tel. [phone]
Swiss Project-Number: 96.0245