XYLANASE BIOSYNTHESIS IN THERMOMONOSPORA-CURVATA IS NOT REPRESSED BY GLUCOSE

The biosynthesis of inducible extracellular enzymes is repressed by gl ucose in most bacteria; however glucose did not repress xylanase biosy nthesis in Thermomonospora curvata in the presence of an inducer When xylobiose was added to glucose-grown, exponential phase cells, the rat e of glucose uptake decreased, xylobiose was taken up, and xylanase bi osynthesis was induced. The ability of this thermophilic actinomycete to resist repression of xylanase biosynthesis would be particularly ad vantageous in solid waste composting, where pH and temperature are opt imal for the activity of this thermostable enzyme. (C) 1997 Elsevier S cience Ltd.