Recombinant-DNA Alterations, and Genetic and Enzymatic Characterization of Anaerobic Fermentation Process Importantto Biocatalysis by Butric-Acid Bacteria (Clostridia)

目前正在努力调查和制定丁酸梭菌(乙酰丁酸梭菌和相关菌株)的转化方法，并调查其分子生物学和遗传学在生物催化应用方面的基本和应用方面。对严格厌氧菌如丁酸梭菌的初级代谢产物(有机酸和溶剂)的形成所涉及的酶活性的遗传或调节知之甚少。缺乏溶剂形成途径的酶的突变株将被分离和鉴定。这些突变菌株将允许克隆和鉴定补充缺陷的基因。这种方法不仅可以分离直接涉及的酶的结构基因，还可以识别和分析这些基因表达所必需的调控元件。

Efforts are underway to investigate and develop methodologies for the transformation of butyric-acid clostridia (Clostridium acetobutylicum and related strains) and to investigate the fundamental and applied aspects of their molecular biology and genetics for biocatialysis applications. Little is known about the genetics or regulation of enzymatic activities involved in the formation of primary metabolism products (organic acids and solvents) of strict anaerober such as the butyric-acid clostridia. Mutants deficient in enzymes of solvent forming pathways will be isolated and characterized. These mutant strains will allow the cloning and characterization of genes which complement the deficiencies. This approach will not only allow isolation of the structural genes of the enzymes directly involved, but also enable regulatory elements which may be necessary for expression of these genes to be identified and analyzed.