Catabolism of protocatechuate by Bacillus macerans.

Uncovering the protocatechuate 2,3-cleavage pathway genes.

Paenibacillus sp. (formerly Bacillus macerans) strain JJ-1b is able to grow on 4-hydroxybenzoate (4HB) as a sole source of carbon and energy and is known to degrade 4HB via the protocatechuate (PCA) 2,3-cleavage pathway. However, none of the genes involved in this pathway have been identified. In this study, we identified and characterized the JJ-1b genes for the 4HB catabolic pathway via the P...

Rapid in situ hybridization technique using 16S rRNA segments for detecting and differentiating the closely related gram-positive organisms Bacillus polymyxa and Bacillus macerans.

A rapid, sensitive, inexpensive in situ hybridization technique, using 30-mer 16S rRNA probes, can specifically differentiate two closely related Bacillus spp., B. polymyxa and B. macerans. The 16S rRNA probes were labeled with a rhodamine derivative (Texas Red), and quantitative fluorescence measurements were made on individual bacterial cells. The microscopic fields analyzed were selected by ...

Brain abscess due to Bacillus macerans following a penetrating periorbital injury.

We report a case of a brain abscess due to Bacillus macerans and Clostridium sp. following a penetrating periorbital injury by a wooden branch. Intracranial penetration by and retention of a foreign body were not suspected initially, and neurological symptoms developed only 2.5 months later. Previously reported cases of brain abscesses due to Bacillus species are reviewed.

Role of glutamate dehydrogenase in ammonia assimilation in nitrogen-fixing Bacillus macerans.

Pathways of ammonia assimilation into glutamic acid in Bacillus macerans were investigated by measurements of the specific activities of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), glutamine synthetase, and glutamate synthase. In ammonia-rich medium, GDH was the predominant pathway of ammonia assimilation. In nitrogen-fixing cells in which the intracellular NH4+ concentration was 1.4 +/- 0.5 mM, the activit...

Adenine and 2,6-diaminopurine as germinants for Bacillus macerans spores.