Influence of aeration and carbon source on production of microcin B17 by Escherichia coli ZK650.

Previous studies [Connell et al. (1987) Mol Microbiol 1: 195-201] have shown that expression of the microcin B17 (MccB17) promoter is inversely related to the growth rate of the culture, when slower growth was brought about by limitation of sources of carbon, nitrogen or phosphorus. When we used oxygen limitation to decrease growth in a glucose-based chemically defined medium, we found specific MccB17 production to be positively related to growth rate and extent. On the other hand, when we examined various nutritional variations of media, specific production of MccB17 showed a negative relationship to growth rate and extent, as would be predicted by the findings of Connell et al. (1987). Glucose, glycerol and acetate were found to repress MccB17 production; succinate was not repressive. Succinate is an excellent carbon source for production of MccB17 since high levels can be used with no or little interference in product synthesis.