Nucleotide Sequence of a Bacteriolytic Enzyme Gene from Alkalophilic Bacillus sp.

The nucleotide sequence of Bacillus sp. bacteriolytic enzyme gene, lytP and its flanking regions were determined. A unique open reading frame for a protein of Mw. 27, 000, and a putative terminator sequence, were found behind a concensus ribosome binding site located 8 nt upstream from ATG start codon. The primary amino acid sequence deduced from nucleotide sequence revealed a putative protein of 255 amino acid residues with an Mw. of 27, 420. No significant homology could be found between the amino acid sequence of Bacillus sp. bacteriolytic enzyme and that of other cell wall hydrolases.