[Effect of polymyxins on Bacillus polymyxa sporogenesis].

Bacillus polymyxa var. Ross. producing polymyxin M and Bacillus polymyxa 153 producing polymyxin B form spores during submerged cultivation when the rate of biosynthesis of antibiotic peptides is low and when the production of antibiotics is over. However, sporogenesis is stimulated if polymyxins are added at the early stage of cultural growth. Inhibition of the synthesis of antibiotics suppresses the formation of spores. Substances other than polymyxins do not exhibit such a specific effect on sporogenesis. The fact that the culture requires endogenous polymyxins which are most effective in the period prior to the appearance of spores in the culture suggests the regulatory action of these peptides at the stage between vegetative growth and spore formation in Bacillus polymyxa.