Transformation of Bacillus subtilis with DNA‐encoding naphthalene degradation from Bacillus megaterium

Abstract

The ability to degrade [14C]‐naphthalene was transferred from Bacillus megaterium to B. subtilis by extracting B. megaterium DNA and introducing it into B. subtilis using the protoplast‐polyethylene glycol method. Naphthalene degradation was indicated by the accumulation of water soluble 14C activity and the presence of a unique solvent‐extractable metabolite on TLC analysis. In addition, resistance to dibenzofuran, p‐chlorobiphenyl, and naphthalene (as demonstrated by lack of growth inhibition by these compounds) was transferred by the same technique. B. megaterium ATCC 13368 and derivatives conditioned to the presence of each of these three chemicals were used as DNA donors. B. subtilis transformants showed greater resistance to the chemical to which the DNA donor B. megaterium had been conditioned.