Carbohydrate metabolism differences between subgroup A1 and B2 strains of Bacillus anthracis as assessed by comparative genomics and functional genetics.

In France, Bacillus anthracis subgroup B2 strains do not metabolize starch or glycogen but can use gluconate, whereas subgroup A1 strains show the inverse pattern. Functional genetic analysis revealed that mutations in the amyS and gntK genes encoding an alpha-amylase and a gluconate kinase, respectively, were responsible for these phenotypes.