Mutation of a gene encoding a putative ribokinase leads to reduced salt tolerance under potassium limitation in Bacillus subtilis.

Abstract

The Bacillus subtilis L-42 mutant strain, which displays inability to cope with hyperosmotic shock in a media with a K+ concentration of <1 mmol/L, was isolated. The mutation was localized in the yxkO gene a putative ribokinase with unknown function.

Keywords

• Bacillus subtilis
• osmoadaptation
• potassium transport
• sigma B regulon
• stress genes