The DNA sequence of the gene and genetic control sites for the excreted B. subtilis enzyme beta-glucanase.

The sequence of a 1409 base pair restriction fragment containing the B. subtilis gene for (1-3), (1-4)-beta-D-glucan endoglucanase is reported. The gene is encoded in a 726 base pair segment. The deduced amino acid sequence of the protein has a hydrophobic signal peptide at the NH2-terminus similar to those found in five other secreted proteins from Bacillus. The gene is preceded by a sequence resembling promoters for the vegetative B. subtilis RNA polymerase. This is followed by a sequence resembling a B. subtilis ribosome binding site nine nucleotides before the first codon of the gene. Two sequences, one before and one after the gene, can be arranged in secondary structures similar to transcriptional terminators. There is also a short open reading frame coding for a hydrophobic protein on the minus strand just upstream from the beta-glucanase gene. A possible role for this gene in the control of expression of beta-glucanase is suggested.