Progress Report: DE-FG03-97ER20274, ''Microbial Production of Isoprene''

Fall, Ray

University of Colorado (United States)

关键词: Microbial;    Enzymes;    Genes;    Bacillus Subtilis;    59 Basic Biological Sciences;   

DOI  :  10.2172/792551
RP-ID  :  DOEER20274
RP-ID  :  FG03-97ER20274
RP-ID  :  792551

美国|英语

来源: UNT Digital Library

【 摘 要 】

We have discovered that microorganisms produce and emit the hydrocarbon isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene), and have suggested that if isoprene-producing enzymes and their genes can be harnessed, useful hydrocarbon-producing systems might be constructed. The main goal of the proposed work is to establish the biochemical mechanism and regulation of isoprene formation in the bacterial system, Bacillus subtilis. Specific objectives of the proposed work are the following: (A) to characterize the physiological regulation of isoprene formation in B. subtilis; (B) to characterize mutations in B. subtilis 168 that suppress isoprene formation, clone these genes, and determine how isoprene and isoprenoid carbon flow are regulated; and (C) to test ''overflow'' and ''signaling'' models for Bacillus isoprene formation. We are also pursuing the isolation and cloning of B. subtilis isoprene synthase, which we believe may be a regulatory enzyme.