The gene encoding ClpC in Bacillus anthracis was amplified from the chromos
ome by polymerase chain reaction using degenerate oligonucleotide primers.
These primers also amplified a second DNA fragment identified as a clpB hom
olog. Both genes were suggested to be functional. Contrary to Bacillus subt
ilis which possesses clpC but not clpB, many Bacillus species were found to
harbor both clpC and clpB. We also found that Clostridium strains could po
ssess clpB, clpC, or both. All the Gram-negative strains tested had clpB on
ly. (C) 1999 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by
Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.