METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR OBTAINING NATURAL COMPETENCE IN BACILLUS HOST CELLS

摘要

The present disclosure is generally related to methods and compositions for obtaining genetic competence in non-competent or poorly competent Bacillus host cells and transformed Bacillus host cells derived therefrom. Thus, in certain, embodiments, a non-competent Bacillus host cell is made competent by the introduction of at least one copy of an exogenously introduced polynucleotide encoding a B. licheniformis ComS1 polypeptide. In other embodiments, a non-competent Bacillus host cell is made competent by the deletion or disruption of a native (endogenous) gene encoding a ComS2 polypeptide. In other embodiments, the Bacillus host cells made competent according to the compositions and methods of the instant disclosure are transformed with one or more polynucleotides encoding one or more a proteins of interest.