Effect of dimethyl sulfoxide on lysine production by a mutant of Bacillus subtilis with homoserine dehydrogenase activity.

Some Bacillus subtilis mutants with different levels of homoserine dehydrogenase were described. Strains that do not accumulate methionine have a high homoserine dehydrogenase activity. Low activity was detected in mutants where cell growth was completely inhibited by 0.7 mmol/L methionine. A low concentration of dimethyl sulfoxide had a stimulatory effect on lysine production by the methionine-sensitive mutant of Bacillus subtilis.