In the framework of the European project aimed at the sequencing of the Bacillus subtilis genome the DNA region located between gerB (314 degrees) and sacXY (333 degrees) was assigned to the Institut Pasteur. In this paper we describe the cloning and sequencing of a segment of 97 kb of contiguous DNA. Ninety-two open reading frames were predicted to encode putative proteins among which only forty-two were found to display significant similarities to known proteins present in databanks, e.g. amino acid permeases, proteins involved in cell wall or antibiotic biosynthesis, various regulatory proteins, proteins of several dehydrogenase families and enzymes II of the phosphotransferase system involved in sugar transport. Additional experiments led to the identification of the products of new B. subtilis genes, e.g. galactokinase and an operon involved in thiamine biosynthesis.

We cloned and sequenced an operon of nine genes coding for the subunits of the Bacillus subtilis FOF, ATP synthase. The arrangement of these genes in the operon is identical to that of the atp operon from Escherichia coli and from three other Bacillus species. The deduced amino acid sequences of the nine subunits are very similar to their counterparts from other organisms. We constructed two B. subtilis strains from which different parts of the atp operon were deleted. These B. subtilis atp mutants were unable to grow with succinate as the sole carbon and energy source. ATP was synthesized in these strains only by substrate-level phosphorylation. The two mutants had a decreased growth yield (43 and 56% of the wild-type level) and a decreased growth rate (61 and 66% of the wild-type level), correlating with a twofold decrease of the intracellular ATP/ADP ratio. In the absence of oxidative phosphorylation, B. subtilis increased ATP synthesis through substrate-level phosphorylation, as shown by the twofold increase of by-product formation (mainly acetate). The increased turnover of glycolysis in the mutant strain presumably led to increased synthesis of NADH, which would account for the observed stimulation of the respiration rate associated with an increase in the expression of genes coding for respiratory enzymes. It therefore appears that B. subtilis and E. coli respond in similar ways to the absence of oxidative phosphorylation.ATP plays a central role in energy transduction in living organisms. Although some ATP is synthesized in aerobiosis by soluble enzyme systems like glycolytic enzymes that perform substrate-level phosphorylation, most is synthesized by membrane-bound enzyme complexes through oxidative phosphorylation. The energy-transducing membranes, where these complexes are found, are the plasma membrane of prokaryotic cells, the inner membrane of mitochondria, and the thylakoid membrane of chloroplasts. ATP synthesis from ADP and Pi is catalyzed by the ATP synthase complex and is driven by the proton gradient. This gradient is generated by respiration in mitochondria and respiring bacteria and by photosynthesis in chloroplasts and photosynthetic bacteria.ATP

The frequency of different types of cancer (among which the cervical cancer covers 55%) etiologically correlated with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) infection is worrying particularly amongst early ages. Demonstrating the presence and the oncogene role of some HPV types opened the way to prophylaxis by vaccination in a significantly high percentage of cases. Vaccination against HPV was first used in 2006 and it remarkably brought down the infection prevalence, with a good immunologic response and durable protection.

Frecvenţa diferitelor formelor de cancer (în care cancerul de col uterin deţine 55%), corelate etiologic cu infecţia cu Papilloma Virus Uman (HPV) este îngrijorătoare, mai ales prin afectarea vârstelor tinere. Demonstrarea prezenţei şi a rolului oncogen al unor tulpini a deschis drumul către profilaxie prin vaccinare pentru un procent important de cazuri. Vaccinarea anti-HPV introdusă în anul 2006 s-a însoţit de declinul remarcabil al prevalenţei infecţiei, răspuns imunologic bun şi protecţie durabilă.